Mercedes Benz C (2016)
2016 Mercedes Benz C
CarHunch analysed 40,317 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz C. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C passes its MOT at 87.4%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, though a concerning 34.5% of vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a figure that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Petrol versions perform best at 89.3% pass rate, while diesel models lag slightly at 86.7%, but the gap is modest.
At 55,000 miles median, these cars are typical for their age and have averaged 1.09 failures per test, suggesting owners encounter real issues beyond minor advisories—the 6.7 average advisories per vehicle hint at ageing trim and consumables rather than structural faults. Before committing, insist on a full service history and have an independent mechanic inspect the brake system and suspension, where the majority of failures and dangerous defects cluster on this model.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 34.5% 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (65%) | 26,263 | 86.7% | 1.16 |
| Petrol (20%) | 8,025 | 89.3% | 0.92 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (12%) | 4,923 | 88.3% | 0.98 |
| Electric Diesel (3%) | 1,105 | 86.7% | 1.15 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 84.6% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Mercedes Benz C vehicles fall between 41,876 and 71,724 miles.
2016 Mercedes Benz C — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 34,820 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 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.
-
41.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
41.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
31.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
29.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
25.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
11.7%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
-
11.6%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
10.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.