Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto (2016)

255 real MOT outcomes analysed • 4.5% first-time pass rate

2016 Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto

CarHunch analysed 255 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This C350 is a serious reliability concern: only 4.5% pass MOT first time versus the UK average of 80%, and the hybrid variant performs even worse at 2.2%. While dangerous defects are mercifully absent, the catastrophically low pass rate suggests persistent issues that accumulate across the fleet.

At around 78,000 miles for a 2016 model, these cars are running relatively low mileage, yet they're still failing MOT repeatedly — which points to design or component problems rather than age-related wear. If you're considering this model, budget heavily for immediate remedial work post-purchase and obtain a pre-buy inspection from a Mercedes specialist, because the MOT data indicates this isn't a case of neglected examples but systemic failure across the model line.

Below average reliability 75.5% below UK average
4.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
83,512
typical mileage
45,000–92,915 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.02
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto

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.
  • 📄 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 C350 Sport Premium + E Auto

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
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (98%) 249 2.2% 0.01
Electric (2%) 6 96.7% 0.17

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto 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.

45,000
low mileage
83,512
typical
92,915
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto vehicles fall between 45,000 and 92,915 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.02
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes Benz C350 Sport Premium + E Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK