2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,527 MOT tests in 2024. 60.9% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time60.9%
Failed or needed repairs39.1%
Typical mileage at test98,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,527 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.6%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.3%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
  6. Stop lamp: not working2.6%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    109 marked dangerous
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.1%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension26.3%
  2. Lights & electrics23.7%
  3. Brakes13.9%
  4. Emissions & leaks10.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.3%
  6. Tyres6.8%
  7. Body & chassis3.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.5%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened8.4%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

In 2024, 60.9% of 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,527 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).