mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 39, better than average, but based on a very small sample size

2005: 101, about average, maybe a bit worse, and based on a larger but still marginal sample size

The difference between the 2005 and the 2006 could be because Mercedes made some improvements with the 2006 refresh, or be because of the sample sizes. Most likely both. The 2006 figure in particular seems too low to be accurate. We have a much larger sample size for the C204.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The page for the C-Class:

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

mkaresh

In a few weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More needed to include all model years.

Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 29, better than average, but very small sample size; actual repair frequency probably about average

2005: 82, about average, marginal sample size

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

mkaresh

372 C-Class owners now signed up to participate--a good start, but more remain needed to properly cover all model years.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results later this month. The 2003 fell a single response short of the minimum. In this case in particular additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the W203 C-Class to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 37, better than average, but very small sample size; actual repair frequency probably about average

2005: 82, about average, marginal sample size

Everyone who has been helping, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

mkaresh

We'll have updated results again next month. A few additional participants per model year would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results again later this month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 43, better than average, but small sample size

2005: 103, about average

2003: 203, worse than average, but small sample size

Everyone who has been helping, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

LILBENZ230

Post the 2001s.. we could all use a laugh.

e1000

"2001: owners camping out at dealerships, no internet access to participate"

I KID I KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LILBENZ230

mkaresh

That's bad.

The 2001 isn't in the survey, partly because I've done less to get that generation involved. I've found that if you say "reliability" in a forum for German cars of a certain age, people want to string you up.

I'll have another update for the W203 next month. Looks like we'll have a stat for the 2007 as well this time, but that we remain a few responses short for the 2002 and 2004, and will have a full result for only the 2005.

I'd like to have full results for all years--just a matter of getting enough owners involved.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 90, about average, but small sample size

2006: 59, about average, but small sample size

2005: 63, about average

2003: 170, worse than average, but small sample size

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

mkaresh

470 C-Class owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

To provide an additional benefit, I recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in mid-May.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 77, about average, but small sample size

2006: 49, better than average, but very small sample size

2005: 71, about average

2004: no repairs reported, 13 owners participating

2003: 171, worse than average, but small sample size

2002: 55, better than average, very small sample size

Decent sample size for only the 2005. With larger sample sizes for the others results would likely even out.

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

mkaresh

518 C-Class owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Help get your year fully included:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 59, about average, but small sample size

2006: 49, better than average, but very small sample size

2005: 52, better than average

2004: 14, very small sample size and probably not accurate

2003: 197, worse than average, but small sample size and possibly not accurate

2002: 33, better than average, very small sample size and probably not accurate

Decent sample size for only the 2005. With larger sample sizes for the others results would likely even out.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability comparisons

C280 Sport

Ill give you more data. I have a 2005 Mercedes C240 4Matic. I like the car. Its a really nice car to drive. Ride is great. No issues. I have had it for 20,000 miles. No issues. The only things I dont like about is that I get a couple creeks and cracks from the inside(Speedo plastic cover creeks, sunshade once in a while and the trim)- But I mean seriously it is a C-Class not a Maybach. Other then that no regrets at all. I dont drive the car for anyother resons except to drive up and down to the highway on my way to school/work. I purchased it with 49,000miles. It now has near 69,000 miles and not one thing go. Basic services(A,B) come about every 10k or soo.

mkaresh

One thing I'm trying to make more widely known is that even with "worse than average" cars your odds of getting one that requires no repairs are pretty good.

Next week we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. The preview results will be updated as responses come in.

As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Starting this month we have a new question to measure, as objectively as possible, the severity of a problem. Many people have been asking for reliability stats that weight problems by how severe they are, and once we have enough responses with the revised survey we'll start providing this.

Also, updated reliability stats this month.

As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 54, about average, but small sample size

2006: 76, about average, small sample size

2005: 56, better than average

2004: 15, better than average, but very small sample size and probably not accurate

2003: 153, worse than average, but small sample size and possibly not accurate

2002: 109, about average, very small sample size

Decent sample size for only the 2005. With larger sample sizes for the others results would likely even out.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We have updated results for the C-Class to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 52, about average, but small sample size

2006: 71, about average, small sample size

2005: 91, about average

2004: 43, better than average, but very small sample size and probably not accurate

2003: 129, about average, small sample size

2002: 119, about average, very small sample size

Decent sample sizes for only the 2005. With larger sample sizes for the others results would likely even out.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We have updated our car reliability stats for the C-Class to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 71, about average, small sample size

2006: 86, about average, small sample size

2005: 107, about average

2004: 39, better than average, but very small sample size and probably not accurate

2003: 92, about average, small sample size

2002: 113, about average, small sample size

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliability ratings and comparisons