Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Volkswagen Golf
Figures per shared age band: numerator, denominator and country index for both models, from the same source.
| Age | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Volkswagen Golf | Difference (percentage points) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspections with a defect | Country index | Inspections with a defect | Country index | ||
| 3-5 years | 2069 of 11935 (17.3%) | 83 | 2960 of 14140 (20.9%) | 101 | -3.59 |
| 6-8 years | 5845 of 25535 (22.9%) | 80 | 5278 of 20710 (25.5%) | 89 | -2.6 |
| 9-11 years | 7681 of 29813 (25.8%) | 77 | 9916 of 33776 (29.4%) | 87 | -3.6 |
| 12-14 years | 6724 of 21199 (31.7%) | 74 | 10179 of 26085 (39%) | 91 | -7.3 |
| 15-19 years | 12474 of 29236 (42.7%) | 86 | 12349 of 25790 (47.9%) | 97 | -5.21 |
100 = country average for that age band in this country.
Recalls and complaints
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
No recalls or complaints reported for this model.
Volkswagen Golf
Official item from NHTSA: suspension / rear / springs / coil springs
Campaign number: 19V188000.
Official item from NHTSA: electrical system / ignition / anti-theft / control module
Campaign number: 19V615000.
Official item from NHTSA: wheels
Campaign number: 19V879000.
Official item from NHTSA: tires / pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Campaign number: 22V815000.
Official item from NHTSA: electrical system / ignition / switch
Campaign number: 23V604000.
Official item from NHTSA: fuel system, gasoline
Campaign number: 24V110000.
Official item from NHTSA: back over prevention / sensing system / camera
Campaign number: 20V716000.
Official item from NHTSA: engine
37 of the 82 of all NHTSA complaints for this model year.
What this does not show
- The country index is the average of all cars of this model in this country. It is not a chance of defects for one car.
- A complaint share is a share of the reported complaints. It is not a chance of defects for this model.
- Each band already takes age into account. Differences between generations or trims are not included.
- These figures apply to Netherlands. You cannot simply compare them with figures from another country.
Frequently asked questions
What are the inspection figures for Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen Golf, per age band?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Volkswagen Golf: 3-5 years: 83 versus 101. 6-8 years: 80 versus 89. 9-11 years: 77 versus 87. 12-14 years: 74 versus 91. 15-19 years: 86 versus 97. 100 = country average for that age band in this country.
Are any recalls known for Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Volkswagen Golf?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 0. Volkswagen Golf: 7.
Where do these figures come from?
Dutch inspection data (data through 08/09/2026) Both models use the same source and the same reference date.
Methodology
Each row compares inspections from the same age band, in the same country.
The country index puts the model's defect rate on a scale. On that scale, 100 is the country average for that band.
We only compare two models if they share at least two age bands.
What counts as a failed inspection differs per country. So never compare these figures with figures from another country.