1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 1996.

• Coil springs2.6× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  14.9% All 1996 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Transmission oil leaks3.7× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  8.8% All 1996 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Side repeaters3.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  4.7% All 1996 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  5.7% All 1996 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.6% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  32% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  24% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  23% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?