Every Mercedes-Benz in the data

Sorted by how many tests each one contributes, so the models most people actually buy come first. A linked row has a page of its own.

Model	Years	Tests	Fail rate
C	2014–2017	141,208	18.8%
A-Class	2014–2017	130,275	21.2%
C	2010–2013	91,952	29.8%
E	2014–2017	88,231	18.7%
A	2018–2021	74,936	12%
C	2018–2021	62,182	12.7%
E	2010–2013	62,040	27.4%
A-Class	2018–2021	49,524	14.4%
E	2018–2021	48,814	13.5%
GLC	2018–2021	39,658	10.8%
GLA	2014–2017	35,949	16.6%
A-Class	2010–2013	32,436	30.8%
GLA	2018–2021	29,827	12.3%
CLA	2014–2017	27,648	21.1%
Vito	2014–2017	25,914	29.4%
B-Class	2014–2017	25,267	19.8%
GLC	2014–2017	23,606	14.3%
CLA	2018–2021	21,947	16.1%
B-Class	2010–2013	21,786	31.5%
Vito	2018–2021	18,970	23.8%
Vito	2010–2013	18,625	37.3%
SLK	2010–2013	14,919	23.7%
GLE	2018–2021	14,647	11.1%
ML	2010–2013	12,375	24.6%
Citan	2014–2017	11,612	39.2%
GLE	2014–2017	11,501	12.4%
SLK	2014–2017	11,077	17.7%
S-Class	2014–2017	9,329	12.7%
CLS	2014–2017	8,581	19%
ML	2014–2017	7,167	16.9%
CLS	2010–2013	6,847	26.2%
B	2018–2021	6,594	9.5%
SLC	2014–2017	5,751	14.4%
Citan	2018–2021	5,587	32.5%
V	2018–2021	5,331	15.4%
S-Class	2018–2021	5,312	8.2%
Sprinter	2014–2017	5,258	21.4%
V	2014–2017	4,760	18.7%
B-Class	2018–2021	4,528	12.6%
Sprinter	2010–2013	4,395	29.6%
S-Class	2010–2013	4,231	21.5%
Gla 180 Amg Line Edition Auto	2018–2021	4,035	9.1%
X	2018–2021	3,482	20.3%
SL	2014–2017	3,349	11.4%
CLC	2010–2013	3,228	43.4%
Sprinter	2018–2021	3,227	14.4%
Glc 300 Amg Line Prem D 4M A	2018–2021	2,920	8.7%
Gla 200 Amg Line Edition + A	2018–2021	2,914	8.2%
Glc 300 Amg Line Prem + D 4M A	2018–2021	2,862	8.5%
SLC	2018–2021	2,597	9%
A 250 Amg Line E Auto	2018–2021	2,469	12.8%
CLS	2018–2021	2,419	17.8%
Viano	2010–2013	2,293	33%
SL	2010–2013	2,215	17.5%
CLA	2010–2013	2,163	28.8%

How a Mercedes-Benz ages

The same manufacturer at three ages. Every make gets worse with age; what differs is how steeply, and that is the part worth knowing before you choose between a cheaper older one and a dearer newer one.

Best and worst in the range

Cohorts with at least 5,000 tests only, so a rare model cannot top either list on thin evidence.

What actually fails on a Mercedes-Benz

Pooled across the whole range and weighted by test count. One model's worst fault is a fact about that model; the same fault across the range is a fact about the make.

• 2.4% Tyres tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
• 1.7% Coil spring fractured or broken
• 1.5% Tyres has ply or cords exposed
• 1.4% Tyres has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
• 1.1% Suspension arms ball joint excessively worn
• 1% Brake linings and pads less than 1.5 mm thick

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023. Class 4 standard tests only. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mercedes-Benz and its marks are the property of their owner and are used here to identify the manufacturer this page is about.