Comparison · executive cars

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Vauxhall Insignia: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 555,493 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

106Above average
MOT tests366,830

Vauxhall Insignia

97Below average
MOT tests188,663

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testMercedes-Benz C-ClassVauxhall Insignia
3–5 years
102About average
96Below average
6–9 years
105Above average
94Below average
10–14 years
107Above average
99About average
15+ years
106Above average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz C-ClassVauxhall Insignia
202186.8%83.8%
202087.7%83.1%
201987.0%81.1%
201884.8%81.5%
201782.5%76.7%
201680.8%69.7%
201578.7%68.9%
201476.4%66.0%
201369.9%65.6%
201267.8%63.5%
201167.7%63.4%
201065.8%61.0%
200963.6%58.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz C-ClassVauxhall Insignia
Suspension13.012.6
Lights & electrics8.215.0
Brakes9.39.3
Tyres8.89.8
Emissions & leaks4.24.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.84.4
Body & chassis1.22.9
Seat belts & airbags1.00.4

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%

Vauxhall Insignia: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.6%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Vauxhall Insignia?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Vauxhall Insignia can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Mercedes-Benz C-Class had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Vauxhall Insignia in 0.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Vauxhall Insignia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.