2002 Mercedes-Benz C MOT pass rate: 69.2% (7,620 tests)
Is the 2002 C getting worse?
Pass rate of 2002-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69.0% +3.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 68.8% +3.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 70.2% +3.4 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2002 C
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2,315 | 29.5% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,654 | 21.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,198 | 15.3% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 701 | 8.9% |
| 5 | Tyres | 592 | 7.5% |
| 6 | Visibility | 579 | 7.4% |
All C years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3,928 | 70.4% | +3.9 pts | 95,942 |
| 2002 (this page) | 7,620 | 69.2% | +3.6 pts | 97,981 |
| 2003 | 13,765 | 65.2% | +0.2 pts | 106,702 |
| 2004 | 19,932 | 64.5% | +0.2 pts | 111,997 |
| 2005 | 26,728 | 65.7% | +1.2 pts | 116,417 |
| 2006 | 30,576 | 65.7% | +1.3 pts | 112,864 |
| 2007 | 38,374 | 68.0% | +2.9 pts | 114,690 |
| 2008 | 42,839 | 69.6% | +4.4 pts | 116,300 |
| 2009 | 40,822 | 70.2% | +3.8 pts | 114,357 |
| 2010 | 42,047 | 71.8% | +4.4 pts | 106,426 |
| 2011 | 60,218 | 72.5% | +3.4 pts | 105,237 |
| 2012 | 80,699 | 72.2% | +1.0 pts | 98,799 |
| 2013 | 72,438 | 74.6% | +1.2 pts | 92,208 |
| 2014 | 76,814 | 79.9% | +4.1 pts | 85,486 |
| 2015 | 103,035 | 82.3% | +3.5 pts | 80,236 |
| 2016 | 110,346 | 83.9% | +2.5 pts | 69,279 |
| 2017 | 118,299 | 85.2% | +1.2 pts | 56,785 |
| 2018 | 84,470 | 87.1% | +0.8 pts | 47,061 |
| 2019 | 71,902 | 88.8% | +0.4 pts | 37,683 |
| 2020 | 22,240 | 89.1% | -0.8 pts | 30,705 |
| 2021 | 3,431 | 89.4% | -1.0 pts | 28,435 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Mercedes-Benz C years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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FAQs
Is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C reliable?
2002-registered examples passed 69.2% of their MOT tests (7,620 tests, 2023–2025), +3.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 24 years old with a median 97,981 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2002 C?
The median tested example shows 97,981 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2002 C?
In this cohort petrols pass 70.1% of tests against 66.1% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.