Car Reliability Survey results
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
Details here:
Car reliability research
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
Car reliability research
Car reliability research
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
Car reliability research
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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
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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
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
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
Not yet signed up? Details here:
Car reliability research
As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in mid-May.
Car reliability research
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
Help get your year fully included:
Car reliability research
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
Last edited by C280 Sport; Aug 26, 2010 at 01:05 PM.
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
Also, updated reliability stats this month.
As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.
Car reliability research
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
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
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







