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Mercedes-benz C vs Mercedes-benz S350 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 S350 cdi
82%
MOT pass rate · 5 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz C (78%) and Mercedes-benz S350 cdi (82%) 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 S350 cdi
MOT pass rate 78% 82% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 18% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 1.3 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 2% ✓
Average mileage 112,156 mi 135,546 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 675,043 5

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 S350 cdi

  1. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  2. Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz C (78%) and Mercedes-benz S350 cdi (82%) 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 S350 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.