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Mercedes-benz 512d vs Mercedes-benz C: reliability comparison

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

Mercedes-benz 512d
33%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mercedes-benz C
78%
MOT pass rate · 675,043 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 512d (33%) 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 512d Mercedes-benz C
MOT pass rate 33% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 67% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 5.0 1.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 211,984 mi 112,156 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 675,043

Most common faults

Mercedes-benz 512d

  1. Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
  2. Front Brake pipe slightly corroded NS + OS to hoses (3.6.B.2c)
  3. Front inner wheel arch's have slight corrosion outside of prescribed area
  4. Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)
  5. NSF side marker light not working
  6. Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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 512d (33%) 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 512d 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.