Car statistics by year

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars first registered in 2013: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 2013, so like is set against like.

A year of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. “2013” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
23,428 MOT tests of 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 69.8% All 2013 cars 66.0%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 98,500 miles; all 2013 cars 84,900
  • Left at the end of 2025 24,348 81.9% of the 29,737 at the end of 2014
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 9.3% All 2013 cars 8.6%
  • Tests with an advisory 55.6% All 2013 cars 58.8%
  • MOT tests in 2025 23,428 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 12 years old, 69.8% of 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 66.0% for all cars first registered in 2013. 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes did better than average for their age, by 3.8 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 69.9% of the time (all 2013 cars 67.2%).

MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs all cars

Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Mercedes-Benz C-Class bar with the all-cars bar beside it.

MOT first-time pass rate in 2025 by year of first registration, Mercedes-Benz C-Class compared with all cars
First registered Mercedes-Benz C-ClassAll cars
’07 61.6%57.3%
’08 63.7%57.0%
’09 64.4%58.2%
’10 66.0%59.3%
’11 67.5%61.5%
’12 67.4%63.6%
’13 69.8%66.0%
’14 75.2%69.1%
’15 78.0%72.6%
’16 80.4%75.6%
’17 81.6%79.1%
’18 83.9%81.8%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn was the most common single reason a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed, on 18.7% of about 7,100 failed tests. By area of the car, suspension failed most often (47.5% of failed tests; all 2013 cars 37.0%). 9.3% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 8.6% for all cars first registered in 2013. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension 18.7%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 11.5%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes 11.3%
Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension 10.1%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 9.8%
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 8.5%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 6.2%
Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault Brakes 4.9%
Anti-roll bars: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension 4.7%
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 4.6%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs all 2013 cars

The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.

Share of failed 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 2013 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Suspension 47.5%
Brakes 33.9%
Tyres 24.5%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 21.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks 14.6%
Visibility 6.2%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 4.4%
Body, chassis, structure 3.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 55.6% of 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests had at least one (all 2013 cars 58.8%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 21.9%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 9.8%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 8.4%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 7.4%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 7.1%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 6.3%
Wheel bearings: slight play Suspension 5.5%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 5.2%
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes 4.5%
Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension 4.0%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Half of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 98,500 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 75,000 and a quarter more than 125,400. For all cars first registered in 2013, the middle figure was 84,900 miles, so 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes have been driven 16.0% further than average.

Mileage at the 2025 MOT

Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.

Odometer readings at the 2025 MOT, 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and all 2013 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 55,500 75,000 98,500 125,400 152,200 22,362
All 2013 cars 43,600 62,100 84,900 110,100 136,600 1,772,152
miles

Half of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 98,500 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes are left?

At the end of 2014, 29,737 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 24,348 were: 22,682 licensed and 1,666 declared off the road (SORN). That is 81.9% still on the record, against 86.9% for all cars first registered in 2013.

Share still on the record since 2014

Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2014, compared with all 2013 cars
Year end 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassAll 2013 cars
2014 100.0%100.0%
2015 97.1%98.9%
2016 94.1%96.4%
2017 93.7%97.2%
2018 92.9%96.3%
2019 91.5%95.5%
2020 90.3%94.3%
2021 89.6%93.9%
2022 88.2%92.7%
2023 86.0%91.1%
2024 84.2%89.2%
2025 81.9%86.9%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2013

20 of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s 153 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2013. 11 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 2013 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2013 may have been built in 2012, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls whose build dates include 2013
Launched Concern Built Vehicles
1 Jun 2022 The passenger air bag may not deploy as specified 30 Aug 2004 to 4 Dec 2013 109,809 (all models)
1 Jun 2022 The passenger air bag may not deploy as specified 30 Aug 2004 to 4 Dec 2013 25 (all models)
8 Nov 2021 Takata airbag might not deploy as specified 30 Aug 2004 to 4 Dec 2013 56 (all models)
8 Nov 2021 Takata airbag might not deploy as specified 30 Aug 2004 to 4 Dec 2013 85,613 (all models)
20 Aug 2021 Vehicles with a panoramic sunroofthe polycarbonate panel may not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair 30 Jul 2013 to 29 Oct 2019 61 (all models)
17 Aug 2021 The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time 30 Aug 2004 to 4 Dec 2013 108,486 (all models)
6 Oct 2020 Engine control unit software to be updated 8 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2018 994 (all models)
5 Oct 2020 Certain specific calibrations of functions must be changed in the engine management 20 Oct 2008 to 15 Jan 2013 23,302 (all models)
19 Oct 2018 To improve emissions of the affected vehicles.certain calibrations of functionalities must be changed in the engine management 1 Dec 2013 to 31 May 2018 15,692 (all models)
9 Jul 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 11 Jun 2011 to 7 Jun 2017 10,113 (all models)
11 Jun 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 78,608 (all models)
11 May 2018 Steering components may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 74,329 (all models)
9 Apr 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 67,027 (all models)
9 Apr 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 1 Jul 2017 51,528 (all models)
2 Feb 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 84,879 (all models)
18 Dec 2017 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 46,093 (all models)
27 Apr 2017 Steering coupling may become loose 1 Mar 2013 to 31 Dec 2014 7
19 Apr 2017 Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification 1 Jan 2004 to 31 Mar 2017 42 (all models)
6 Sept 2016 Fuel may leak 1 Dec 2013 to 30 Apr 2016 3,591
23 Jul 2015 Passenger airbag may not function as intended 1 Aug 2013 to 30 Apr 2014 11

Every Mercedes-Benz C-Class recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls

Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class

26 years of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2008 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (63.7% passed first time) and the 2021 cars worst (87.2%).

Mercedes-Benz C-Classes by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
1997 1,845 68.1% 68.5%
1998 2,285 71.3% 67.1%
1999 1,915 68.4% 65.4%
2000 1,663 67.4% 63.1%
2001 3,195 63.2% 61.5%
2002 4,949 63.8% 59.7%
2003 6,505 58.9% 58.9%
2004 7,599 58.3% 57.9%
2005 9,182 59.7% 57.7%
2006 9,911 58.9% 56.9%
2007 12,227 61.6% 57.3%
2008 13,509 63.7% 57.0%
2009 12,664 64.4% 58.2%
2010 13,174 66.0% 59.3%
2011 19,726 67.5% 61.5%
2012 27,111 67.4% 63.6%
2013 24,348 69.8% 66.0%
2014 30,378 25,966 75.2% 69.1%
2015 38,782 34,165 78.0% 72.6%
2016 40,101 35,037 80.4% 75.6%
2017 39,798 36,933 81.6% 79.1%
2018 28,299 26,082 83.9% 81.8%
2019 23,131 22,545 85.6% 84.4%
2020 9,649 9,241 85.8% 86.9%
2021 6,155 5,660 87.2% 88.4%
2022 4,707 4,384 89.0% 89.4%

Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring
2025 23,428 MOT tests of 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 24,348 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) 15 September 2026
  • MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars first registered in 2013; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2013.
  • Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
  • Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
  • Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
  • Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.