Mercedes Benz C 320 (2001)
2001 Mercedes Benz C 320
CarHunch analysed 1,204 real MOT records for the 2001 Mercedes Benz C 320. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz C 320 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.4%, sitting 4.6 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a third of these cars (30.3%) have recorded dangerous defects—a significant red flag for prospective buyers. This isn't a particularly reliable entry point to Mercedes ownership, especially if you're expecting German engineering to hold up better than the average car of this age.
At 81,092 miles median and 84,640 miles average, these cars have racked up typical mileage for a 23-year-old vehicle, yet they're arriving at MOT with 3.76 failures and 16.5 advisories on average—well above what you'd hope for at this stage. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, braking components, and electrical systems, as the high advisory count suggests these are the problem areas eating into reliability.
What to check before buying a 2001 Mercedes Benz C 320
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 30.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz C 320
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,193 | 75.4% | 3.76 |
| Diesel (0%) | 6 | 76.6% | 3.83 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 71.8% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Mercedes Benz C 320 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 Mercedes Benz C 320 vehicles fall between 64,929 and 101,171 miles.
2001 Mercedes Benz C 320 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 73 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes Benz C 320?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.