1999 Mercedes C 280 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for C 280 models manufactured in 1999, based on 1,516 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all C 280 cars tested in 1999. Want to see how cars built in 1999 hold up over time?
View 1999 Mercedes C 280 vintage page → (61.3% current pass rate)1999 Mercedes C 280 MOT Analysis
The 1999 Mercedes C 280 has an MOT pass rate of 60.9% based on 1,516 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 110,906 miles on the odometer. With a 39.1% failure rate, the 1999 C 280 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1999 Mercedes C 280 is Brakes, responsible for 1.1% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Suspension is the second most common issue at 1.1%. Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems follows at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1999 models only. The overall C 280 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1.1% | 16 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.1% | 16 |
| 3 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.8% | 12 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.7% | 10 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.5% | 7 |
| 6 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.3% | 5 |
| 7 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.3% | 5 |
| 8 | Visibility | 0.2% | 3 |
| 9 | Steering | 0.2% | 3 |
| 10 | Road Wheels | 0.1% | 2 |
| 11 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 2 |
| 12 | Non-component Advisories | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 110,906 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.10 | 1.1% | 16 |
| Suspension | 0.10 | 1.1% | 16 |
| Seat Belts | 0.07 | 0.8% | 12 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.06 | 0.7% | 10 |
| Tyres | 0.04 | 0.5% | 7 |
| Body & Structure | 0.03 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.03 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Visibility | 0.02 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Steering | 0.02 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Wheels | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1999 Mercedes C 280 has an MOT pass rate of 60.9% based on 1,516 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 110,906 miles on the odometer. With a 39.1% failure rate, the 1999 C 280 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1999 Mercedes C 280, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). With an average mileage of 110,906 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 1.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1999 Mercedes C 280 models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 1.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1999 Mercedes C 280 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems — 0.8% of failures
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1999 Mercedes C 280 models. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.