Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy?

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 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy?

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 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy?

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.

Is the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy reliable?

Based on MOT data from 102 vehicles, the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy?

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 C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy (2012)

102 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.5% first-time pass rate

2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy

CarHunch analysed 102 real MOT records for the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2012 C220 CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 60.1%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals meaningful reliability concerns for this age and mileage. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually absent (0%), so while these cars need work, they're not unsafe hazards.

At 118,000 miles the median mileage is reasonable for a 12-year-old, but the 1.27 average failures per vehicle tell the real story — these Mercs demand more attention than most. If you're considering one, budget for repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the gearbox, suspension, and diesel particulate filter, which are common failure points on this generation.

We have limited data for the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

78.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.27

Over 5.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

118k

Middle half: 99k–132k

For context

These stats describe 102 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 102 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy

Based on MOT data from 102 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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 (99%)	101	78.4%	1.28

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy 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.

118,234

typical

99,157

low mileage

131,817

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy vehicles fall between 99,157 and 131,817 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 99,157 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.

✓ 99,157–131,817 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cys sit.

⚠ Over 177,952 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cys are still being driven.

Strong survival — 51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 80% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

5.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.27

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Exec SE CDI Blue Cy stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?