Car statistics by year

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars first registered in 2015: 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 2015, so like is set against like.

A year of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. “2015” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
34,050 MOT tests of 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 78.0% All 2015 cars 72.6%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 88,000 miles; all 2015 cars 72,100
  • Left at the end of 2025 34,165 88.1% of the 38,782 at the end of 2015
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.5% All 2015 cars 7.2%
  • Tests with an advisory 46.3% All 2015 cars 51.7%
  • MOT tests in 2025 34,050 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 10 years old, 78.0% of 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.6% for all cars first registered in 2015. 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes did better than average for their age, by 5.4 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 78.7% of the time (all 2015 cars 74.3%).

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
’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%
’19 85.6%84.4%
’20 85.8%86.9%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction was the most common single reason a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class failed, on 16.1% of about 7,500 failed tests. By area of the car, suspension failed most often (36.1% of failed tests; all 2015 cars 31.6%). 7.5% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.2% for all cars first registered in 2015. 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 16.1%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 15.9%
Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension 15.4%
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 13.9%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 6.7%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes 6.6%
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 5.6%
Suspension arms: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension 4.6%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 4.6%
Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 4.5%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs all 2015 cars

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

Share of failed 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 2015 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Suspension 36.1%
Tyres 34.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks 17.4%
Brakes 15.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 14.1%
Visibility 10.7%
Road wheels 3.4%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 2.5%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 46.3% of 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests had at least one (all 2015 cars 51.7%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 22.1%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 8.9%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 8.1%
Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension 6.3%
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes 4.0%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 3.7%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 2.2%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 2.1%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories 2.0%
Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 1.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Half of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 88,000 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 66,700 and a quarter more than 113,300. For all cars first registered in 2015, the middle figure was 72,100 miles, so 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes have been driven 22.1% 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, 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and all 2015 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 49,200 66,700 88,000 113,300 140,600 32,601
All 2015 cars 36,100 52,200 72,100 94,600 119,500 2,231,507
miles

Half of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 88,000 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes are left?

At the end of 2015, 38,782 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom. By the end of 2025, 34,165 were: 33,161 licensed and 1,004 declared off the road (SORN). That is 88.1% still on the record, against 93.2% for all cars first registered in 2015.

Share still on the record since 2015

Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2015. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2015, compared with all 2015 cars
Year end 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassAll 2015 cars
2015 100.0%100.0%
2016 102.2%100.7%
2017 98.8%99.9%
2018 94.5%96.7%
2019 93.5%97.6%
2020 92.7%96.9%
2021 92.3%96.7%
2022 91.7%96.1%
2023 90.6%95.3%
2024 89.5%94.3%
2025 88.1%93.2%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2015

27 of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s 153 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2015. 11 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 2015 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2015 may have been built in 2014, 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 2015
Launched Concern Built Vehicles
7 Feb 2024 On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair. 9 Jul 2014 to 1 Sept 2017 45 (all models)
20 Feb 2023 On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture. 25 Oct 2014 to 2 Dec 2016 51,251 (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)
27 Jul 2021 Diodes on the rectifier bridge of the alternator might fail 20 Mar 2014 to 28 Feb 2018 18,050
6 Oct 2020 Engine control unit software to be updated 8 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2018 994 (all models)
10 Sept 2020 The engine control unit software nay not meet specifications 17 Nov 2014 to 15 Mar 2017 1,258 (all models)
12 Mar 2020 The spring damper software may not meet specifications 21 Dec 2015 1
8 May 2019 Software update to improve emissions 1 Aug 2014 to 31 May 2018 7,546
1 Apr 2019 A lock nut may be cracked in the steering gear 1 Mar 2015 to 31 Oct 2018 24 (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)
15 Oct 2018 An electric line in the engine compartment may have been routed outside of the specification 1 Oct 2014 to 30 Apr 2018 8,562
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)
21 Nov 2017 Axle mounting may break 1 Jun 2014 to 31 May 2016 1,511
20 Jun 2017 Starting current limiter may overload 1 Feb 2014 to 28 Feb 2017 74,444 (all models)
8 Jun 2017 Electric power steering motor defective 1 Aug 2014 to 31 Dec 2016 16 (all models)
19 Apr 2017 Faulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification 1 Jan 2004 to 31 Mar 2017 42 (all models)
30 Jan 2017 Flammable vapour may ignite 1 Aug 2015 to 30 Sept 2015 5
6 Sept 2016 Fuel may leak 1 Dec 2013 to 30 Apr 2016 3,591
21 Jan 2016 Risk of fire 28 Oct 2015 to 19 Nov 2015 1,327 (all models)

2 more are on the full list. 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 34,050 MOT tests of 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 34,165 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 2015; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2015.
  • 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.