1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Coil springs3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  20.2% All 1997 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.9% of all 1997 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 leaks4.6× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  10.1% All 1997 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 1997 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.

• Sub-frame3.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  8.7% All 1997 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Side repeaters4.6× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  5.5% All 1997 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.9% of all 1997 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 indicators2.4× usual
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class

  7.3% All 1997 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.6% of all 1997 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 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 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
  44% 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
  37% 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
  30% 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
  24% 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
  24% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 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 3× as often on the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 1997 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?