Which model group has the lower recorded MOT failure rate: BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Across 3,581,473 recorded MOT tests, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class group has a 2.7 percentage point lower historical failure rate. The BMW 3 Series group rate is 26.1% and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class group rate is 23.4%. These population statistics do not predict an individual vehicle's result.

What are the main MOT differences between BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The BMW 3 Series has a 26.1% overall MOT failure rate (1,841,976 tests) while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 23.4% (1,739,497 tests). The highest complete component category for the BMW 3 Series is lamps & electrics, while for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class it is suspension.

Should I buy a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

This aggregate MOT comparison is not a buying recommendation. It describes recorded model-group outcomes, not the condition or likely result of a particular vehicle. Check the specific vehicle's MOT history and condition before deciding.

BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class — MOT Failure Rate Comparison

BMW 3 Series

26.1%

failure rate from 1,841,976 tests

0.9pp below the dataset reference (26.9%)

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

23.4%

failure rate from 1,739,497 tests

3.5pp below the dataset reference (26.9%)

Recorded-rate result: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class model group has a 2.7 percentage point lower historical failure rate than the BMW 3 Series group in this dataset.

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class compare across different age groups:

Age	BMW 3 Series	Mercedes-Benz C-Class	Difference
0-2 years	12.7%	10.3%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class +2.3pp
3-5 years	11.5%	12.3%	BMW 3 Series +0.8pp
6-10 years	20.4%	20.1%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class +0.3pp
11-15 years	30.2%	33.0%	BMW 3 Series +2.8pp
15+ years	33.3%	39.5%	BMW 3 Series +6.1pp

Recorded Component Comparison

Side-by-side aggregate rates for MOT tests involving each component category. These are group statistics, not a diagnosis of either vehicle.

BMW 3 Series Component Mercedes-Benz C-Class

5.2%

Lamps & Electrics

3.2%

3.9%

Suspension

4.6%

3.7%

Brakes

3.1%

3.7%

Tyres

3.6%

2.0%

Visibility

1.3%

0.8%

Body & Chassis

0.5%

0.4%

Steering

0.4%

Component	BMW 3 Series	Mercedes-Benz C-Class	Lower rate
Lamps & Electrics	5.2%	3.2%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Suspension	3.9%	4.6%	BMW 3 Series
Brakes	3.7%	3.1%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Tyres	3.7%	3.6%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Visibility	2.0%	1.3%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Body & Chassis	0.8%	0.5%	Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Steering	0.4%	0.4%	BMW 3 Series

Which Has the Lower Recorded Failure Rate?

Based on official DVSA MOT test records covering 3,581,473 tests between these two models, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class group has a 2.7 percentage point lower overall failure rate. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class group rate is 23.4% compared with 26.1% for the BMW 3 Series group.

The age-band table shows whether that gap is consistent across the available groups. The highest recorded component category is lamps & electrics for the BMW 3 Series group and suspension for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class group. Category rates show historical involvement in failed tests; they do not identify a fault on a particular vehicle.

Explore Each Model in Detail

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component percentages are weighted recorded category rates, not probabilities for an individual vehicle. The checked-in dataset contains 148,509,908 tests and 39,969,903 failures. Vehicle condition and history are not captured by these group comparisons.

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