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Mercedes-benz 280 s vs Mercedes-benz C: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Mercedes-benz 280 s
50%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mercedes-benz C
78%
MOT pass rate · 675,043 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 280 s (50%) and Mercedes-benz C (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mercedes-benz 280 s Mercedes-benz C
MOT pass rate 50% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 50% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 5.5 1.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 208,006 mi 112,156 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 675,043

Most common faults

Mercedes-benz 280 s

  1. Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
  2. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both side front (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  3. Suspension rod ball joint has slight play both side front (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  4. Wheel bearing has slight play both side front & both side rear (5.1.3 (a) (i))
  5. both side brake pipe, both side sills, under body floor, both side inner wheel arch, some suspension components all corroded
  6. Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Mercedes-benz C

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 280 s (50%) and Mercedes-benz C (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mercedes-benz 280 s report Full Mercedes-benz C report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.