Mercedes-benz C 320 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz C 320 car check
Is the Mercedes-benz C 320 reliable? We analysed 72,432 real MOT tests across 4,550 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz C 320? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz C 320 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint and coil spring broken. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz C 320.
Mercedes-benz C 320 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz C 320. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz C 320 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz C 320 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz C 320 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz C 320 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz C 320 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz C 320 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz C 320 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz C 320 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz C 320 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz C 320 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 311 | 81.4% | 54,069 | 77,763 | 111,817 |
| 2009 | 3,392 | 78.3% | 52,656 | 79,926 | 111,283 |
| 2008 | 6,973 | 78.6% | 50,139 | 80,138 | 113,288 |
| 2007 | 4,428 | 78.2% | 53,764 | 82,324 | 116,775 |
| 2006 | 6,645 | 75.5% | 58,217 | 89,769 | 126,485 |
| 2005 | 4,590 | 75.1% | 57,302 | 89,600 | 124,174 |
| 2004 | 5,324 | 73.9% | 46,284 | 73,424 | 101,678 |
| 2003 | 8,235 | 74.3% | 48,494 | 74,933 | 102,260 |
| 2002 | 9,135 | 75.0% | 50,817 | 75,992 | 104,011 |
| 2001 | 17,585 | 74.1% | 56,185 | 79,816 | 107,278 |
| 2000 | 5,680 | 72.7% | 59,846 | 81,747 | 106,974 |
| 1999 | 67 | 71.6% | 99,680 | 113,317 | 129,463 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz C 320 Last?
Based on 4,550 Mercedes-benz C 320 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz C 320 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz C 320 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz C 320
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.4% MOT pass rate from 311 tests
71.6% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz C 320 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.4% across 311 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes-benz C 320 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz C 320 THIS CAR | 75.2% | 72,432 | 80,039 mi | 26 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz C | 77.6% | 8,031,355 | 77,082 mi | 32 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz E | 79.4% | 4,722,746 | 83,960 mi | 33 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Synergie | 66.3% | 95,717 | 113,130 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz C 320 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz C 320 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz C 320Should you buy a used Mercedes-benz C 320?
The Mercedes-benz C 320 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.2% across 72,432 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz C 320 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,754 recorded failures), suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (1,071), and coil spring broken (970). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz C 320 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes-benz C 320 owner drives around 5,922 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz C 320 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.