Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A (2005)
2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A
CarHunch analysed 123 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2005 C220 CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 49.5%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which is a genuine red flag for reliability. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while these cars fail their MOT, they're not failing catastrophically.
At nearly 150,000 miles on average, these are high-mileage examples, yet each vehicle averages 1.17 failures per test—suggesting age-related wear rather than fundamental design problems. Before buying one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist, as the pattern of multiple minor failures points to the cumulative cost of ownership on an ageing Mercedes engine.
What to check before buying a 2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A
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 C220 CDI Classic SE A
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A 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 2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A vehicles fall between 117,511 and 176,850 miles.
2005 Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Mercedes C220 CDI Classic SE A: