1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

788 MOT tests in 2024. 71.1% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time71.1%
Failed or needed repairs28.9%
Typical mileage at test104,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 788 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.6%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    36 marked dangerous
  4. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced2.0%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.0%
  6. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.0%
  7. Side repeaters: incorrect colour1.9%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
  9. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics21.3%
  2. Suspension10.9%
  3. Brakes10.9%
  4. Body & chassis5.8%
  5. Tyres5.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks5.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.5%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.5%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.5%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play8.2%

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: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

In 2024, 71.1% of 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 788 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).