Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206
from 2021
Based on 3 sources, each with its own reference date
No documented known problems found. That does not mean the car is problem free
Key points to know
- Safety rating
1 result 路 NHTSA SafetyRatings, data up to and including 2026
- Insurance loss
1 result 路 IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2026
Recalls
Our EU Safety Gate feed only goes back to 17 July 2026
We could not check NHTSA for this model
No recall found in EU Safety Gate, checked up to and including 2026
Safety rating
American crash test (NHTSA)
NHTSA safety rating: C-CLASS
NHTSA scores the C-CLASS from model year 2021 at 5 out of 5 stars (front 4/5, side 5/5, rollover 4/5). This is an American test. It follows the NHTSA protocol and is not a worldwide safety score. Other countries test differently, for example Euro NCAP, and can reach another rating.
Insurance loss
Compared with the US average. Not a chance of defects
IIHS/HLDI loss index: C class 4dr
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for C class 4dr is 138. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
Inspection statistics for these model years
- 0 to 2 years: 7,480 inspections
- 3 to 5 years: 18,357 inspections
3 to 5 years: 18,357 inspections
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 322 of the 18357 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 317 of the 18357 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 259 of the 18357 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Identification of the vehicle
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 222 of the 18357 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 189 of the 18357 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
0 to 2 years: 7,480 inspections
Official inspection point: Identification of the vehicle
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 65 of the 7480 Czech inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 24 of the 7480 Czech inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 18 of the 7480 Czech inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 18 of the 7480 Czech inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 12 of the 7480 Czech inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
3 to 5 years: 1,500 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 242 of the 1500 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 441 of the 2840 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1980 of the 13596 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1093 of the 8127 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1334 of the 10321 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
- 0 to 2 years: 256 inspections
- 3 to 5 years: 11,935 inspections
3 to 5 years: 11,935 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1538 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 535 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 151 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 53 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 23 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
0 to 2 years: 256 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 15 of the 256 Dutch inspection data, age 0-2 yr.
3 to 5 years: 792 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels and suspension
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 119 fail items across 792 Finnish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Test drive and visibility
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 39 fail items across 792 Finnish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting and electrical equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 12 fail items across 792 Finnish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Vehicle identification
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 11 fail items across 792 Finnish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
3 to 5 years: 489 inspections
Official inspection point: Steering, suspension, wheels and tyres
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 58 fail items across 489 Irish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 43 fail items across 489 Irish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Other equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 18 fail items across 489 Irish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 16 fail items across 489 Irish inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
See the inspection statistics for all generations of C-Class
Go to C-ClassInspections by country and age
This table shows, per age, how many cars of this model fail inspection, by country. An index of 100 is that country's average for that age.
| Age | Netherlands | United Kingdom | Czechia | Ireland | NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years | 10.2% failed (26 of 256) | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 3-5 years | 17.3% failed (2069 of 11935) | 13.8% failed (6012 of 43638) | No data | 21.1% failed (103 of 489) | Too few inspections |
Czechia only counts serious defects, severity B or C. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway count every inspection with a real defect.
Finland is not in this table. Finland counts defect points, not cars with a defect.
Buyer knowledge and checklist
Before you buy: the inspection requirement in this country, plus a checklist for the test drive.
Periodic inspection: APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the Dutch periodic roadworthiness test): from 2 to 8 years old: every 2 years; diesel: annually from the first test onwards; other fuels: annually from 8 years old
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
What are the known problems with a Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206?
Safety rating: 1 result (NHTSA SafetyRatings, data up to and including 2026). Insurance loss: 1 result (IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2026). Each point is worked out below with its source and reference date.
Which defects are found most often at inspection for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension. Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1538 of the 11935 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr. Dutch inspection data, data up to and including 03/09/2026. More age groups and categories are available in the inspection statistics on this page.
Where does this data come from?
CZ STK (data up to and including 03/07/2026), DVSA MOT-statistiek (data up to and including 2025), NHTSA Manufacturer Communications (data up to and including 2026), NHTSA SafetyRatings (data up to and including 2026), IIHS/HLDI (data up to and including 2026), GDV Typklassenverzeichnis (data up to and including 2024), Dutch inspection data (data up to and including 03/09/2026), Norwegian inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025), Finnish inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025), Irish inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025). Every fact here has its own source and reference date.