2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 77,985 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.5% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.8% in the 150k+ group versus 17.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.9% | 13,213 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 9,167 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.4% | 6,569 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 4,871 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 3,695 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 3,688 |
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 | 7,568 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 5,217 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 4,243 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,574 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 3,233 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,933 |
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 | 41.1% | 32,033 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.4% | 29,185 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 21,701 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.2% | 8,767 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 6,754 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 6,162 |
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 | 685 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 5,642 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 15,866 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 22,558 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 17,585 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 15,512 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,526 | 25.4% |
| Diesel | 34,459 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,901 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 17,727 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 15,645 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 13,459 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 11,253 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 C-Class
Before buying a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 16.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (16.9% 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 (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Classs pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 77,985 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Suspension, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.8%).
Does the 2006 C-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 77,985 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.