1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

861 MOT tests in 2024. 70.7% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time70.7%
Failed or needed repairs29.3%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 861 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.6%
  2. Side repeaters: incorrect colour2.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working2.2%
  4. Side repeaters: not working1.9%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.9%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
    34 marked dangerous
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.6%
  8. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.6%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    33 marked dangerous
  10. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics24.0%
  2. Suspension12.2%
  3. Brakes9.8%
  4. Body & chassis7.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.5%
  6. Tyres4.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.8%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

In 2024, 70.7% of 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 861 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; side repeaters: incorrect colour; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).