Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Tesla Model 3: which fails its MOT less?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails its MOT less often than the Tesla Model 3.
- less often than the Tesla Model 3, at the same age
- 30.0%less often than the Tesla Model 3, at the same age
MOTs passed in 2024: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 78.0%, Tesla Model 3 85.4%
These pass rates point the other way because the two fleets differ in age.
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 433,209 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less often: MOT Risk Index 87.4 against 124.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 37.3, 95% CI 35.1–39.5).
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 74.1 | 83.9 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 87.4 | 124.7 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 86.9–87.9 | 122.6–126.8 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 327 | 679 | 2024 |
| First tests | 365,590 | 67,619 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
78.0% of Mercedes-Benz C-Class tests and 85.4% of Tesla Model 3 tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
Raw pass rates point the other way because the fleets differ in age.
What explains the difference?
The clearest difference is tyres: against its own class and age, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class runs +1.8 items per 100 tests and the Tesla Model 3 +11.4, so the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 9.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 9.3 to 9.8).
Each model is compared with its own class and age; the fleets can differ in mileage and use.
More detail
Dangerous defects and advisory items
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 11.7 | 16.8 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 117.1 | 79.5 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less at 3 of 3 ages where both are tested, and the gap points the same way at every age where it is clear. Across the 2 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 6.5 extra failed tests per 100 for the Tesla Model 3 (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −4.7 | −5.1 to −4.3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| 4 | −3.9 | −4.4 to −3.3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| 5 | −2.7 | −3.6 to −1.7 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| Age band | Ages included | Mercedes-Benz C-Class, % | Tesla Model 3, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 13.1 | 16.4 | −3.4 | −3.6 to −3.1 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 633,625 (initial tests at shared ages) · Method: difference of two proportions per age, Bonferroni-corrected for 3 ages; age bands pool the published ages with an unadjusted 95% interval, and the same car can appear at more than one age, so that interval is somewhat narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Where do their MOT failures diverge?
The clearest difference is tyres: against its own class and age, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class runs +1.8 items per 100 tests and the Tesla Model 3 +11.4, so the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 9.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 9.3 to 9.8).
| Component group | Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs its class | Tesla Model 3 vs its class | Gap, Mercedes-Benz C-Class minus Tesla Model 3 | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | +1.8 | +11.4 | −9.5 | −9.8 to −9.3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | −6.9 | +0.6 | −7.5 | −7.6 to −7.4 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| Body, chassis, structure | −3.8 | −0.2 | −3.6 | −3.6 to −3.6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| Suspension | +2.6 | +0.6 | +2.0 | +1.9 to +2.1 | Tesla Model 3 fails less |
| Steering | −1.6 | −0.2 | −1.4 | −1.4 to −1.4 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less |
| Brakes | −0.1 | −0.6 | +0.4 | +0.4 to +0.5 | too small to matter |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,183,304 (initial tests) · Method: each model's failure items per 100 tests against the rate expected for its own class and age; Poisson interval; the age standard leaves the model out and is treated as fixed; items in the same test are treated as independent, so the interval is slightly narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If one fails, which is more likely to fail again?
A failure on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class carries 9.0 percentage points more extra risk of failing again than on the Tesla Model 3.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 30.2 | 14.8 |
| After a passed test, % | 21.0 | 14.7 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 9.2 | 0.2 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 99,818 (tests after a fail) · Method: test chains of the same vehicles; cars sold or scrapped after a fail drop out · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What do six years of MOTs show about the two?
The biggest gap in advisories turning into fails is suspension: 23.8% on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class against 6.5% on the Tesla Model 3 failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 23.8 | 6.5 | +17.3 |
| Brakes | 11.7 | 1.7 | +10.0 |
| Tyres | 10.0 | 11.3 | −1.4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 39.0% | 41.3% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 57.5% | 54.9% |
| Median retest delay | 1.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.340 | 0.145 |
| Three-test clean streak | 38.4% | 34.0% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 27.0% | 4.6% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 994,774 (tracked advisories) · Method: same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT; common publishable components only · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Recalls, other countries and running costs, side by side
DVSA lists 158 recall campaigns matched to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and 11 to the Tesla Model 3; more campaigns do not by themselves mean a less reliable car. Abroad, compare each model with that country's own average, because pass rates do not carry across rulebooks. Repair bills are catalogue estimates, not quotes.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 158 | 11 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 35.3 (39,349 inspections) | 48.3 (2,154 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 48.1 (56,302 inspections) | 45.6 (11,071 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 36.5 (16,299 inspections) | 32.1 (12,346 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £74 | £26 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £74–£141 | £26–£50 |
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls register (OGL v3.0); Statens vegvesen PKK (CC BY 4.0), Traficom Katsastus (CC BY 4.0), RDW APK (CC0), adapted; UK repair price catalogue · Window: register as published; inspections 2024 · n = 137,521 (inspections abroad) · Method: recall campaigns matched by make and model, licensed-fleet denominator where available; abroad, samples below 500 suppressed and each model set against that country's own average, with no difference taken across countries; repair bill = chance of failing each item × its most common UK repair price, a catalogue estimate · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV · licences and full notice
How to cite this comparison
MOT Risk Index (2026). Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Tesla Model 3: MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 25 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/compare/mercedes-c-class-vs-tesla-model-3/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Tesla Model 3: quick answers
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Tesla Model 3 more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class fails less often: MOT Risk Index 87.4 against 124.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 37.3, 95% CI 35.1–39.5).
Does the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Tesla Model 3 fail more MOTs?
25.9% of Mercedes-Benz C-Class first tests and 16.1% of Tesla Model 3 first tests failed in 2024. These raw rates do not allow for age; the MOT Risk Index does.
Which should I buy, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Tesla Model 3?
If MOT reliability decides it, the evidence favours the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Still check the individual car's MOT history: these figures describe whole model populations.