2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
12,091 MOT tests on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 24.1%, so the 2001 C-Class sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.4%) and lighting & signalling (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 859 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 0-30k band and 30.2% in the 150k+ band, a 13.1-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (27.3% vs 24.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.1% in 2021 to 23.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 1,860 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 1,576 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 998 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 712 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 628 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 610 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 859 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 789 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 746 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 492 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 468 |
| 6 | Wipers | 459 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.3% | 4,384 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.3% | 4,147 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 3,015 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.3% | 2,215 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 1,857 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 1,852 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 252 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,395 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,266 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,406 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,206 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,474 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,566 | 24.1% |
| Diesel | 2,525 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,858 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 2,922 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 2,272 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 1,714 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 1,325 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 C-Class
On a 2001 C-Class, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Classs pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 12,091 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2001 C-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,091 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.