Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A (2008)
2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A
CarHunch analysed 383 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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Moderate sample. 383 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
This 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor is a serious reliability red flag—only 7.3% of examples pass first time compared to the UK average of 80%, and the petrol version shows a 0% pass rate across 349 vehicles tested. None of the 383 cars analysed have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuring on safety grounds, but the catastrophic first-time pass rate suggests chronic mechanical or electrical issues that plague this specific model variant.
With an average mileage of 89,354 miles for a 16-year-old car, these aren't high-mileage bargains—they're simply unreliable at normal use. The near-zero average failures per vehicle (0.14) is misleading because it reflects only recorded failures, not the persistent issues causing near-universal MOT failures; if you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist who can identify what's systematically wrong with this generation.
The 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (82.7%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 383 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.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 383 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A cars.
Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A
Based on MOT data from 383 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (91%) | 349 | — | 0 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 548 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A — Still on the Road
Most 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor As are still being driven.
26 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 79% of the peak remain.
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
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Compare with another model
See how the 2008 Mercedes C180 SE Kompressor A stacks up against a rival.