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Mercedes-benz 280se 3.5 vs Mercedes-benz C: reliability comparison

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

Mercedes-benz 280se 3.5
50%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mercedes-benz C
78%
MOT pass rate · 675,043 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 280se 3.5 (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 280se 3.5 Mercedes-benz C
MOT pass rate 50% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 50% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 3.0 1.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 16,162 mi 112,156 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 675,043

Most common faults

Mercedes-benz 280se 3.5

  1. Offside Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)
  2. Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
  3. Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
  4. Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)
  5. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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 280se 3.5 (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 280se 3.5 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.