Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI 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 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI 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 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI 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.

Is the 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 116 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.4%, 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 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI 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 C220 Elegance CDI A (2008)

116 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.4% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A

CarHunch analysed 116 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A. 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 2008 Mercedes C220 CDI is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with only 50.6% passing first time compared to 80% nationally—a serious warning sign that suggests structural issues with this model or cohort. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually absent, and with a median mileage of 114,772 for a 16-year-old car, these examples have been reasonably well-used rather than thrashed.

The consistent failure rate (1.08 failures per vehicle on average) points to predictable, fixable problems rather than random surprises, but you should budget for repairs before or shortly after purchase. Have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Mercedes specialist and ask the seller for a full MOT history—this will reveal whether the issues are one-off or recurring, and help you decide if the purchase price reflects the maintenance burden.

We have limited data for the 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

79.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.08

Over 5.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

115k

Middle half: 93k–140k

For context

These stats describe 116 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 116 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A

Based on MOT data from 116 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%)	115	79.4%	1.07

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI 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.

114,772

typical

92,575

low mileage

139,758

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A vehicles fall between 92,575 and 139,758 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 92,575 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.

✓ 92,575–139,758 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI As sit.

⚠ Over 188,673 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 67% of 2008 Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI As are still active.

46 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% 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

5.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.08

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes C220 Elegance CDI A: All C220 Elegance CDI A years → Which year to buy? →

2007

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Average reliability — agree?