Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A?

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 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A?

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 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A?

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 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 313 vehicles, the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

313 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.5% first-time pass rate

2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A

CarHunch analysed 313 real MOT records for the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 313 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2012 C220 CDI has a first-time pass rate of just 60.4%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which means buyers should expect roughly one in two vehicles to fail its MOT on first attempt. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while reliability is below average, safety-critical failures aren't the culprit.

At around 100,000 miles for a 12-year-old car, these diesels are running at typical mileage for their age, yet averaging 1.26 failures per test suggests wear-related issues are catching up—likely suspension, emissions, or braking components common to high-mileage Mercedes. Before buying, factor in a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the exhaust system and suspension, and budget for remedial work if you inherit an imminent MOT failure.

The 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

77.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.26

Over 5.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

100k

Middle half: 83k–119k

For context

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

These stats describe 313 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 313 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A

Based on MOT data from 313 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 (100%)	312	77.6%	1.25

Colour Breakdown

Based on 527 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.6%

161

Black 28.7%

151

White 19.2%

101

Red 9.9%

Grey 7.8%

Blue 4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A 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.

100,118

typical

83,270

low mileage

119,122

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A vehicles fall between 83,270 and 119,122 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 83,270 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.

✓ 83,270–119,122 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy As sit.

⚠ Over 160,814 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 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy As are still being driven.

Strong survival — 154 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% 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

1.26

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A: All C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A years → Which year to buy? →

2011

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Mercedes Benz C220 Sport CDI Blueeffi Cy A stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?