Mercedes-benz C-class Common Car Problems by Generation

At a Glance

The Mercedes-benz C-class has 9 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the W204 (2007-2014) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 5.9M MOT tests from DVSA data.

Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →

Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mercedes-benz C-class common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.

MOT Tests & Failures by Generation

Mercedes-benz C-class generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data

Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.

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Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.

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Browse Mercedes-benz C-class Generations

Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories

W202

1 problem

1993–2000725K tests

Top issue: Steering damper fault

W203

4 problems

2000–20072.2M tests

Top issue: Indicator fault

W204

5 problems

2007–20141.9M tests

Top issue: Brake lever fault

W205

MOT failure data available

2014–20211.2M tests

Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition

W206

MOT failure data available

2021–20258K tests

Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition

Most Common Mercedes-benz C-class MOT Failures

Every reason Mercedes-benz C-class vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.

View:

#	Failure	Category	% of failures
1	Suspension joint or bush worn	Suspension	12.36%
2	Tyre tread depth below limit	Tyres & Wheels	11.17%
3	Tyre condition	Tyres & Wheels	7.68%
4	Coil spring broken or corroded	Suspension	6.31%
5	Wiper blades deteriorated	Bodywork	3.83%
6	Brake pads or linings worn	Brakes	3.47%
7	Brake performance below minimum	Brakes	3.31%
8	Ball joint dust cover split	Suspension	3.07%
9	Stop lamp not working	Electrical	2.95%
10	Track rod end worn	Steering	2.92%
11	Brake hydraulic component worn	Brakes	2.91%
12	Number plate lamp not working	Electrical	2.79%
13	Headlamp aim defect	Electrical	2.53%
14	Indicator fault	Electrical	2.40%
15	Windscreen washer not working	Bodywork	2.37%
16	Catalytic converter efficiency low	Exhaust	2.23%
17	Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged	Brakes	2.19%
18	Front suspension joint worn	Suspension	1.85%
19	Exhaust system fault	Exhaust	1.78%
20	Spark ignition emissions above threshold	Exhaust	1.74%
21	Parking brake performance below minimum	Brakes	1.58%
22	Front lamp not working	Electrical	1.52%
23	Headlamp fault	Electrical	1.38%
24	Position lamp not working	Electrical	1.33%
25	Brake disc or drum worn	Brakes	1.21%
26	Windscreen damage affecting view	Bodywork	1.09%
27	Compression ignition emissions above threshold	Engine	1.04%
28	Rear lamp not working	Electrical	1.03%
29	Airbag warning light on	Bodywork	0.98%
30	ABS fault	Brakes	0.71%
31	Mirror damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.56%
32	Seat belt condition	Bodywork	0.48%
33	Front suspension fault	Suspension	0.46%
34	Shock absorber worn or leaking	Suspension	0.45%
35	Parking brake condition	Brakes	0.44%
36	Fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.43%
37	Electronic stability control fault	Brakes	0.40%
38	Tyre size or type not matched	Tyres & Wheels	0.32%
39	Horn not working	Electrical	0.31%
40	Flexible brake hose damaged	Brakes	0.24%
41	Wheel bearing worn	Suspension	0.23%
42	Tyre pressure monitoring system fault	Tyres & Wheels	0.22%
43	Steering rack fault	Steering	0.21%
44	Subframe corrosion or damage	Suspension	0.17%
45	Body corrosion or damage	Bodywork	0.17%
46	Fuel cap damaged or missing	Fuel System	0.17%
47	Suspension mounting corroded	Suspension	0.16%
48	Suspension linkage fault	Suspension	0.15%
49	Rear fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.14%
50	Brake lever fault	Brakes	0.13%
51	Suspension arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.12%
52	Brake pedal fault	Brakes	0.12%
53	Steering arm worn	Steering	0.11%
54	Drag link end worn	Steering	0.08%
55	Headlamp levelling device fault	Electrical	0.08%
56	Fuel pipe corroded or damaged	Fuel System	0.08%
57	Battery loose or leaking	Electrical	0.08%
58	Brake pedal movement restricted	Brakes	0.07%
59	Electrical switch fault	Electrical	0.07%
60	Bonnet catch or hinge fault	Bodywork	0.07%
61	Engine oil leak	Engine	0.06%
62	Chassis condition	Bodywork	0.06%
63	Brake caliper fault	Brakes	0.06%
64	Anti-roll bar worn or corroded	Suspension	0.06%
65	Fuel hose damaged or leaking	Fuel System	0.06%
66	Steering free play excessive	Steering	0.05%
67	Tyre valve stem damaged	Tyres & Wheels	0.05%
68	Bumper damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.05%
69	Driveshaft fault	Transmission	0.05%
70	Brake fluid level low or contaminated	Brakes	0.04%
71	Brake fluid leak	Brakes	0.04%
72	Spring mounting corroded	Suspension	0.04%
73	Headlamp washer not working	Electrical	0.04%
74	Dashboard warning lamp fault	Electrical	0.04%
75	Front passenger door fault	Bodywork	0.04%
76	Steering damper fault	Steering	0.03%
77	Brake fluid warning light on	Brakes	0.03%
78	MacPherson strut worn	Suspension	0.03%
79	Rear suspension fault	Suspension	0.03%
80	Driver door fault	Bodywork	0.03%
81	Vehicle structure corrosion	Bodywork	0.03%
82	Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault	Brakes	0.03%
83	Propshaft fault	Transmission	0.03%
84	Fuel tank corroded or leaking	Fuel System	0.03%
85	Undertray damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.02%
86	Rear reflector damaged or missing	Electrical	0.02%
87	Electrical wiring fault	Electrical	0.02%
88	Body security fault	Bodywork	0.02%
89	Handbrake lever fault	Brakes	0.02%
90	Reversing lamp not working	Electrical	0.02%
91	Driver airbag fault	Bodywork	0.02%
92	Bonded suspension condition	Suspension	0.02%
93	Subframe mounting corroded	Suspension	0.02%
94	Driver seat fault	Bodywork	0.02%
95	Steering operation fault	Steering	0.02%
96	Boot lid damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.02%
97	Power steering pipe or hose leaking	Steering	0.01%
98	Electronic braking system fault	Brakes	0.01%
99	Handbrake cable fault	Brakes	0.01%
100	Steering column fault	Steering	0.01%
101	Steering lock fault	Steering	0.01%
102	Steering box fault	Steering	0.01%
103	Exhaust leak	Exhaust	0.01%
104	Transmission oil leak	Exhaust	0.01%
105	Brake air or vacuum system fault	Brakes	0.01%
106	Steering intermediate drop arm worn	Steering	<0.01%
107	Electronic parking brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
108	Tie bar or rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
109	Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)	Exhaust	<0.01%
110	Trailing arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
111	Mirror or camera fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
112	Brake fluid reservoir fault	Brakes	<0.01%
113	Brake back plate corroded or damaged	Brakes	<0.01%
114	Electric power steering fault	Steering	<0.01%
115	Passenger seat fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
116	Window damaged or won't operate	Bodywork	<0.01%
117	Engine mounting worn or broken	Bodywork	<0.01%
118	Passenger airbag fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
119	Brake servo fault	Brakes	<0.01%
120	Power steering ram fault	Steering	<0.01%
121	Suspension unit fault	Suspension	<0.01%
122	Power steering pump fault	Steering	<0.01%
123	Semaphore indicator fault	Electrical	<0.01%
124	Rear fog lamp warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
125	Steering wheel damaged or insecure	Steering	<0.01%
126	Towbar fault	Other	<0.01%
127	Vehicle floor corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
128	Full power hydraulic brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
129	Speedometer fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
130	Suspension rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
131	Tailgate damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
132	Hydraulic fluid leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
133	Outline marker lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
134	Suspension retaining or locking device fault	Suspension	<0.01%
135	Steering drive system fault	Steering	<0.01%
136	Steering shaft fault	Steering	<0.01%
137	Axle corroded or damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
138	Additional braking device fault	Brakes	<0.01%
139	Front fog lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
140	Hydraulic brake cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
141	Daytime running lamp not working	Electrical	<0.01%
142	Seat belt pre-tensioner fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
143	Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
144	King pin or swivel pin worn	Suspension	<0.01%
145	Main beam warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
146	Dip switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
147	Steering coupling worn	Steering	<0.01%
148	Halfshaft fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
149	Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged	Exhaust	<0.01%
150	Indicator warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
151	Seat belt anchorage fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
152	Brake master cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
153	Torque or reaction arm worn	Suspension	<0.01%
154	Radius arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
155	Steering lock stop fault	Steering	<0.01%
156	Access panel damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
157	Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient	Brakes	<0.01%
158	Seat belt or padding damaged	Bodywork	<0.01%
159	Transmission drive belt fault	Transmission	<0.01%
160	Stub axle worn	Suspension	<0.01%
161	Brake valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
162	Spare wheel fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
163	Wheel hub fault	Tyres & Wheels	<0.01%
164	Reversing lamp switch fault	Electrical	<0.01%
165	Hand-operated brake valve condition	Brakes	<0.01%
166	Leaf spring broken or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
167	Torsion bar worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
168	Universal joint worn	Steering	<0.01%
169	Brake relay lever fault	Brakes	<0.01%
170	Passenger compartment corrosion	Bodywork	<0.01%
171	Brake slack adjuster fault	Brakes	<0.01%
172	Seat belt load limiter fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
173	Air suspension levelling valve fault	Suspension	<0.01%
174	Axle beam corroded or cracked	Suspension	<0.01%
175	Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
176	Hazard warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
177	Load sensing valve fault	Brakes	<0.01%
178	Brake stationary pin worn	Brakes	<0.01%
179	Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
180	Suspension air bellows damaged	Suspension	<0.01%
181	Speed limiter fault	Other	<0.01%
182	Brake wheel cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
183	Brake pedal linkage fault	Brakes	<0.01%
184	Brake linkage mounting fault	Brakes	<0.01%
185	Body strengthening plate corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
186	Brake clevis joint worn	Brakes	<0.01%
187	Suspension coupling worn	Suspension	<0.01%
188	Handbrake fails on gradient	Brakes	<0.01%
189	Loading door damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
190	Panhard rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
191	Air brake cylinder or actuator fault	Brakes	<0.01%
192	Dropside damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
193	Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault	Suspension	<0.01%
194	CV joint worn	Suspension	<0.01%
195	Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
196	Securing bolts missing or insecure	Suspension	<0.01%
197	Cab corrosion or damage	Bodywork	<0.01%
198	Leaf spring eye worn or broken	Suspension	<0.01%
199	Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
200	Passenger hand grip fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
201	Spring saddle corroded	Suspension	<0.01%

Showing all 201 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.

Mercedes-benz C-class MOT Failures by Category

Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mercedes-benz C-class, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.

3,483,737total items

Suspension891,06525.6%Tyres & Wheels677,72319.5%Electrical598,95617.2%Brakes595,10717.1%Bodywork344,9849.9%Exhaust201,3495.8%Steering122,0363.5%Engine38,3701.1%Fuel System11,3670.3%Transmission2,6050.1%Other1750.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mercedes-benz C-class problems?

Based on analysis of 5.9M Mercedes-benz C-class MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 9 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake lever fault". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.

Which Mercedes-benz C-class generation has the most problems?

The Mercedes-benz C-class W204 (2007-2014) (2007–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (5). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.

How is this data calculated?

We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.

Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz C-class?

Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz C-class owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.

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Mercedes-benz C-class
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