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Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 (2007-2013) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 built around 2013: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 models built around 2013 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 models built around 2013 ended in a fail (retests included), against 23% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 models built around 2013 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2007-2013SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 154,204 tests of C-Class models registered 2007-2013.

About 1 in 12 C-Class W204/S204/C204 MOTs (7.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2013 (12 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 33,511 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 C-Class W204/S204/C204 MOTs (7.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2013 (12 years old).

Based on 33,511 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W204/S204/C204 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
12,07223.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
33,51124.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
29,73625.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
21,19825.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17,16226.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
15,46927.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
16,88127.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
8,17529.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

How the C-Class W204/S204/C204 compares

At each age below, see how the C-Class W204/S204/C204 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 92,872 tests across 15 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
12,07223.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
33,51124.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
29,73625.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
21,19825.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17,16226.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
15,46927.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
16,88127.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
8,17529.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the C-Class W204/S204/C204.

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 17.6%, against 24.7% for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204, both built around 2013.

    11,155 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    Lower fail rate: 21.9%, against 24.7% for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204, both built around 2013.

    19,384 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    1,583 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    6.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.4%, against 7.4% for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    42,210 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

87%of all Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

158 recalls in all

20 of the 158 C-Class W204/S204/C204 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 16 more

Top concerns

  • The passenger air bag may not deploy as specified
  • Takata airbag might not deploy as specified
  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How C-Class W204/S204/C204 cars have aged

How C-Class W204/S204/C204 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%81012141618Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (20,940 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (20,487 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (19,905 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (19,372 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (18,391 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (23,112 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (22,368 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (21,269 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (20,165 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (18,695 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (17,938 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (17,050 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (16,008 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (14,904 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (13,574 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (13,007 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (12,099 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (11,261 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (10,163 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (9,172 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (11,963 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (11,070 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (10,410 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (9,476 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (8,426 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (14,338 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (13,452 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (12,516 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (11,370 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (9,991 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (13,270 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (11,926 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (10,913 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (9,425 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (8,175 tests, 2025 data)2007
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
W204/S204/C204 variants compared

C-Class W204/S204/C204 variants built around 2013

The fail rate for each C-Class W204/S204/C204 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • C26.0%24,771 tests

Petrol

  • C20.8%8,656 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz C-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz C-Class built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W204/S204/C204 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    23.1%
    Advisory: 11,076Fail: 1,120 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    17.3%
    Advisory: 5,796Fail: 2,632 (31% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    15.2%
    Advisory: 7,548Fail: 812 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.4%
    Advisory: 4,716Fail: 76 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.8%
    Advisory: 2,879Fail: 86 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 33,511 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204/S204/C204 (2007-2013) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 33,511 12-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 154,204 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz C-Class models first registered between 2007-2013. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.