2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

MOT tests in 2025, published 22 Jun 2026. DVSA publishes a new year each summer.

18,775 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars first used in 2011 had an MOT in 2025, at about 14 years old, and 67.5% passed first time. That is above the 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011.

The year is when the car was first used, as on its V5C log book, not the model year.

Common failures

The share of 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars tested that failed on, or had fixed at the station, each item. Worth checking before the MOT or before you buy.

Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT failure items
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class common failures
ItemValue
Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.4%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.4%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.3%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
Service brake (roller test): efficiency below requirements2.8%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Common advisories

Things the tester noticed that were not bad enough to fail. They often turn into failures later. What advisories mean for the next MOT.

Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class advisories
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class common advisories
ItemValue
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge21.1%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material21.1%
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.9%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.0%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.8%
Brake pads: wearing thin6.9%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Where the faults are

The share of cars tested with at least one failure or fix in each part of the car.

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class faults by area
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class faults by area
ItemValue
Suspension15.9%
Brakes11.0%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment8.8%
Tyres7.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks4.6%
Visibility2.0%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Typical mileage

Recorded mileage at the MOT. A car well above this range has done more work than most; one far below is worth a closer look at its MOT history.

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recorded mileage
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class mileage
CarsLowTypicalHigh
18,75884,700109,600 miles136,800

The middle half of cars fall between the low and high figures. Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Other Mercedes-Benz C-Class years

Mercedes-Benz C-Class first-time pass rate by year first used
YearTestsPassed first timeAll cars that year
20224,98689.1%88.5%
20216,74687.1%87.2%
202010,16785.8%86.0%
201924,72185.6%83.5%
201828,35783.9%80.9%
201739,52481.6%78.2%
201636,57180.4%74.9%
201534,03778.0%71.9%
201425,19475.2%68.6%
201323,42769.8%65.8%
201225,66867.4%63.5%
201118,77567.5%61.2%
201012,76266.0%59.3%
200912,60864.4%58.3%
200813,12863.7%57.2%
200711,38561.7%57.4%
20068,74758.9%57.0%
20057,26559.7%57.6%

Checking one car?

These figures describe groups of cars. A vehicle history report shows the full MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records for one registration.

Figures from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing data for MOT tests in 2025, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Analysis by Motoring Insider. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we work out these figures.