Mercedes-Benz C200d — MOT pass rate & failures
The Mercedes-Benz C200d passed 88.4% of its 1,619 MOT tests, covering model years 2000–2021. That is 6.3 percentage points better than the 17.9% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz C-Class versions, so the C200d is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 54 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 8.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.3% in 2021 to 11.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 31 | 64.5% | 35.5% |
| 2019 | 623 | 89.9% | 10.1% |
| 2020 | 733 | 88.7% | 11.3% |
| 2021 | 71 | 93.0% | 7.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.8% | 45 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 42 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 28 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 12 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.4% | 7 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 54 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 39 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 21 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 14 |
| 6 | Wipers | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.3% | 475 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 214 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 99 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.8% | 62 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 50 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 30 |
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 | 498 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 742 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 236 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 206 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 457 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 467 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 459 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz C200d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 reliable is the Mercedes-Benz C200d at MOT time?
88.4% of the 1,619 Mercedes-Benz C200d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate, better than the 17.9% average across all C-Class versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz C200d?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by brakes (2.8%).
Does the C200d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,619 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.