Mercedes Benz C (2012)
2012 Mercedes Benz C
CarHunch analysed 33,419 real MOT records for the 2012 Mercedes Benz C. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C passes its MOT slightly more often than average at 82.6% versus the UK's 80%, but this masks a serious concern: 44.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd expect. Petrol versions perform better (84.8% pass rate) than diesels (81.9%), suggesting the diesel engines are working harder by this age.
At 77,436 miles median—reasonable for a 12-year-old—these cars average 2.32 failures and a hefty 15.2 advisories per test, pointing to gradual wear across multiple systems rather than one dominant weak spot. Before buying, insist on a full service history and a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the gearbox, suspension, and cooling system, as Mercedes electrics and hydraulic components tend to rack up advisories in this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz C
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.
- ⚠️ 44.4% 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (75%) | 24,995 | 81.9% | 2.42 |
| Petrol (25%) | 8,422 | 84.8% | 2.02 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 60% | 2 |
| Gas Diesel (0%) | 1 | 76.9% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Mercedes Benz C 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 2012 Mercedes Benz C vehicles fall between 60,187 and 97,313 miles.
2012 Mercedes Benz C — Still on the Road
24,398 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Mercedes Benz C
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55.5%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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46.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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31.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.1%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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30.9%
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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30.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz C?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.