Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 391,651 MOT tests, around 53% of Mercedes-Benz C-Classes still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 29% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 18%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 61% diesel, 34% petrol. Diesel C-Classes are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol C-Classes are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 53%
- Likely charged
- 29%
- Depends on the car
- 18%
- MOT tests analysed
- 391,651
Check a specific C-Class
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
C-Class ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many C-Classes of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) | Hybrid (diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant184 tested | Likely compliant15 tested | Likely compliant191 tested | Likely compliant23 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant5,173 tested | Likely compliant1,903 tested | Likely compliant3,047 tested | Likely compliant548 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant10,732 tested | Likely compliant13,157 tested | Likely compliant1,520 tested | Likely compliant106 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant14,788 tested | Likely compliant12,435 tested | Likely compliant1,693 tested | Likely compliant157 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant25,901 tested | Likely compliant11,303 tested | Likely compliant2,631 tested | Likely compliant669 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant24,840 tested | Likely compliant7,649 tested | Likely compliant4,391 tested | Likely compliant1,083 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car26,224 tested | Likely compliant7,004 tested | Likely compliant549 tested | Check exact car1,759 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car21,689 tested | Likely compliant4,878 tested | Likely compliant5 tested | Check exact car6 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged19,303 tested | Likely compliant6,026 tested | – | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged21,015 tested | Likely compliant7,573 tested | – | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged16,217 tested | Likely compliant5,609 tested | – | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged9,371 tested | Likely compliant6,282 tested | – | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged9,907 tested | Likely compliant5,337 tested | – | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged9,593 tested | Likely compliant6,594 tested | – | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged7,579 tested | Likely compliant7,155 tested | – | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged5,286 tested | Likely compliant6,789 tested | – | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,930 tested | Check Euro standard6,034 tested | – | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged2,534 tested | Check Euro standard5,755 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged1,764 tested | Check Euro standard4,155 tested | – | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged840 tested | Check Euro standard2,527 tested | – | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged347 tested | Check Euro standard1,469 tested | – | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged140 tested | Likely charged724 tested | – | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged157 tested | Likely charged867 tested | – | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged148 tested | Likely charged980 tested | – | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged114 tested | Likely charged756 tested | – | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged33 tested | Likely charged460 tested | – | – |
| 1995 | Likely charged37 tested | Likely charged353 tested | – | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged28 tested | Likely charged287 tested | – | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the C-Class
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (61% of C-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (34% of C-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (4% of C-Classes tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (diesel) (1% of C-Classes tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
C-Classes from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (18% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Mercedes-Benz can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how C-Classes fare at the MOT too: see the Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class for London: what the MOT data shows
The Mercedes-Benz C-Classes in this data were first registered between 1994 and 2021. 2017 was the most common year, with 40,504 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
C-Classes from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 80% of the time, at an average of 65,590 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 67% of the time with 105,401 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel C-Classes likely to comply are from 2016. 24,840 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 82% of the time and averaged 66,545 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol C-Classes likely to comply are from 2006. 6,789 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 59% of the time and averaged 116,214 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the C-Class's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (4.3% of tests) and "fractured or broken" (2.6%); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.3%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.9% of tests.
Overall, 75% of C-Classes passed first time, slightly above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 81,396 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Mercedes-Benz models
About this data
Based on 391,651 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 391,651 MOT tests say about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and London's ULEZ.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 53% of C-Classes on the road are likely compliant and 29% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol C-Class years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol C-Classes first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel C-Class ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel C-Classes from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific C-Class is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
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Is your C-Class ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.