2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

26,722 MOT tests in 2024. 67.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time67.8%
Failed or needed repairs32.2%
Typical mileage at test99,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 26,722 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.1%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    1,468 marked dangerous
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    676 marked dangerous
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.7%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension19.5%
  2. Brakes19.1%
  3. Tyres9.2%
  4. Lights & electrics8.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks4.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.8%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.4%
  8. Body & chassis1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine5.7%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

In 2024, 67.8% of 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 26,722 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 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).