Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes Benz C?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Mercedes Benz C?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Mercedes Benz C?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2008 Mercedes Benz C vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

44% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz C reliable?

Based on MOT data from 23,760 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes Benz C has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Mercedes Benz C?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Mercedes Benz C are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.1% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (59.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Mercedes Benz C?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz C (2008)

23,760 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.7% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes Benz C

CarHunch analysed 23,760 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes Benz C. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C barely keeps pace with the UK average at 79.7% first-time pass rate, but there's a real alarm bell here: 43.6% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the threshold that should concern a buyer. Petrol models pass slightly more often (81.2%) than diesels (78.7%), suggesting the diesel engines may be the weaker link as these cars age.

At 92,321 miles median, these 16-year-old cars are running close to typical for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 3.39 failures per MOT and 19.5 advisories—a sign that the running costs and repair burden climb sharply once warranty ends. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, electrics, and suspension, as these chronic issue areas are what's dragging down the pass rates.

The 2008 Mercedes Benz C has a decent first-time pass rate (79.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

79.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

43.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.39

Over 15.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

92k

Middle half: 72k–115k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 19.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 23,760 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 23,760 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 60.7%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 59.3%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Brake wear 46.2%

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 23,760 Mercedes Benz C cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

81.2%

Petrol

9,691 vehicles

78.7%

Diesel

14,053 vehicles

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes Benz C

Based on MOT data from 23,760 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 43.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (59%)	14,053	78.7%	3.61
Petrol (41%)	9,691	81.2%	3.07

Colour Breakdown

Based on 667,977 Mercedes Benz C vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 34.7%

231,844

Black 24.7%

164,730

Blue 14.6%

97,214

White 9.6%

64,104

Grey 9.1%

60,907

Red 4.2%

28,290

Green 1.9%

12,661

Beige 0.4%

2,836

Purple 0.3%

1,844

Gold 0.2%

1,650

Brown 0.1%

994

Orange 0.1%

903

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes Benz C vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

92,321

typical

72,357

low mileage

114,581

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes Benz C vehicles fall between 72,357 and 114,581 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 72,357 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 72,357–114,581 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes Benz Cs sit.

⚠ Over 154,684 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mercedes Benz C — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2008 Mercedes Benz Cs are still active.

12,262 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.39

Avg failures per vehicle

19.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz C: All C years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mercedes Benz C stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing