Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport 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 Sport 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 Sport 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 Sport CDI A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 581 vehicles, the 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.8%, 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 Sport 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 Sport CDI A (2008)

581 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.8% first-time pass rate

2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A

CarHunch analysed 581 real MOT records for the 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 44.6%, well below the UK average of 80%, which makes it a notably unreliable proposition by modern standards. The good news is that no dangerous defects have been recorded across the 581 vehicles analysed, so safety isn't the issue—but you can expect to fail and return for repairs on your first attempt more often than not.

At 133,800 miles median mileage, these are genuinely high-mileage cars, and the average of 1.28 failures per vehicle suggests aging suspension, exhaust, and emissions systems are the typical culprits rather than catastrophic failure. Before buying, budget heavily for pre-purchase inspection and plan for imminent repair costs; this is a car that will need money spent on it regularly, not occasionally.

The 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.8% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

72.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.28

Over 4.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

134k

Middle half: 111k–155k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 581 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 581 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A

Based on MOT data from 581 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%)	579	72.8%	1.28

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,172 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 39%

457

Black 29.4%

345

White 11.1%

130

Grey 10.5%

123

Red 8.1%

Blue 1.4%

Beige 0.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport 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.

133,812

typical

110,883

low mileage

154,773

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A vehicles fall between 110,883 and 154,773 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 110,883 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.

✓ 110,883–154,773 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI As sit.

⚠ Over 208,943 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 Sport CDI A — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 56% of 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI As are still active.

173 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% 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

4.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.28

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2007 2009

Or browse all models: Mercedes →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on