Mercedes C220cdi MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 124 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 25.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes C220cdi MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes C220cdi is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 124 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.2% and a failure rate of 25.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes C220cdi earns a "Very Good" reliability rating. The average Mercedes C220cdi presents for MOT with approximately 72,869 miles on the clock. The 2005 manufacture year performs best with a 79.1% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes C220cdi is Brakes, affecting 29.8% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Tyres at 24.2%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 18.5%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.7% | 43 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.8% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.2% | 25 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 8.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 8.1% | 10 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 4.8% | 6 |
| 7 | Registration Plates And Vin | 3.2% | 4 |
| 8 | Visibility | 2.4% | 3 |
| 9 | Non-component Advisories | 0.8% | 1 |
| 10 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.8% | 1 |
| 11 | Road Wheels | 0.8% | 1 |
| 12 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 72,869 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.76 | 34.7% | 43 |
| Tyres | 3.54 | 25.8% | 32 |
| Suspension | 2.77 | 20.2% | 25 |
| Seat Belts | 1.22 | 8.9% | 11 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.11 | 8.1% | 10 |
| Visibility | 0.99 | 7.2% | 9 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.44 | 3.2% | 4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.11 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.11 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Wheels | 0.11 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.11 | 0.8% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes C220cdi has 72,869 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes C220cdi has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.54% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes C220cdi MOT Data
The Mercedes C220cdi is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 124 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.2% and a failure rate of 25.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes C220cdi owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific C220cdi is likely to perform.
Brakes — 29.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 29.8% of MOT failures on the Mercedes C220cdi. 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).
Tyres — 24.2% of failures
Tyres issues account for 24.2% of MOT failures on the Mercedes C220cdi. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Suspension — 18.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 18.5% of MOT failures on the Mercedes C220cdi. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes C220cdi?
Based on 124 MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes C220cdi has an overall pass rate of 74.2% (25.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes C220cdi?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes C220cdi fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (29.8%), 2. Tyres (24.2%), 3. Suspension (18.5%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes C220cdi reliable?
With a 25.8% MOT failure rate, the C220cdi is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes C220cdi?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (29.8%); Tyres (24.2%); Suspension (18.5%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.