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Mercedes-benz C vs Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi: reliability comparison

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

Mercedes-benz C
78%
MOT pass rate · 675,043 vehicles
Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi
85%
MOT pass rate · 3 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz C (78%) and Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mercedes-benz C Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi
MOT pass rate 78% 85% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 15% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 1.2 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 112,156 mi 126,076 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 675,043 3

Most common faults

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)

Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi

  1. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. engine cover, under tray and under sill cover fitted
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn to the legal limit REPLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn close to legal limit - recommend replacing soon (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn close to legal limit - recommend replacing soon (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz C (78%) and Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mercedes-benz C report Full Mercedes-benz Ml 280 cdi 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.