Mercedes-Benz C 320
From 2,367 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older C 320s fare better: 2009 models pass at 73% vs 76.6% for 2008.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded and a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 217 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 217 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 87 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 87 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 86 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 55 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 54 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 43 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 37 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 37 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 36 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 51% of C 320 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 11.6% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £137.
Fuel type matters
Diesel versions pass at 75.8% while Petrol versions pass at 69.5%, a 6 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 73% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2008 | 76.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2007 | 78% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2006 | 75.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
5 earlier years
| 2005 | 70.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2004 | 69.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2003 | 75.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2002 | 61.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2001 | 65.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
Typical mileage
Half of all C 320s tested had between 109,370 and 148,645 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 134,315 median miles, the C 320 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz C 320 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz C 320 has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 2,367 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz C 320?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz C 320 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 217 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz C 320 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz C 320 is 134,315 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 109,370 and 148,645 miles.
Buying a used C 320?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74% pass rate and an average repair bill of £137 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.