Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A (2009)
2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A
CarHunch analysed 350 real MOT records for the 2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2009 Mercedes C220 diesel is a genuinely unreliable proposition: just 48% pass their MOT first time, versus the UK average of 80%, and owners should expect an average of 1.47 failures per test. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare (0%), so while problems are frequent, they're unlikely to leave you stranded.
At 130,000 miles median mileage for a 15-year-old car, these specimens are well-used, and the high failure rate reflects that age and accumulated wear rather than a design fault. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the drivetrain, cooling system, and suspension components—the most common failure categories for this generation—and budget for remedial work within your first year of ownership.
What to check before buying a 2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI 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 Sport CDI A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 346 | 47.8% | 1.46 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) | 4 | 78.6% | 2.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI 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 2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A vehicles fall between 111,626 and 147,361 miles.
2009 Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A — Still on the Road
136 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% 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.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes C220 Sport CDI A?
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