1996 · 28 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

410 MOT tests in 2024. 73.2% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time73.2%
Failed or needed repairs26.8%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 410 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.2%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  3. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed2.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    20 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
  6. Side repeaters: not working1.7%
  7. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.7%
  8. Position lamp: not working1.5%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.5%
  10. Registration plates: inscription illegible1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics13.9%
  2. Emissions & leaks10.5%
  3. Brakes8.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%
  5. Suspension5.1%
  6. Tyres4.4%
  7. Body & chassis4.4%
  8. Steering2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.3%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened14.4%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.0%
  5. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission9.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

In 2024, 73.2% of 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 410 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; emissions not tested: unable to be completed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).