BMW 525 vs Mercedes Benz C Class
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 525 | Mercedes Benz C Class |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 101 | 249 |
| Model years covered | 1985–2001 | 1991–2006 |
| Worst model year | — | 1995 |
| Best model year | — | 2000 |
| Crashes reported | 20 | 8 |
| Fires reported | 7 | 16 |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 10 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 |
| Most complained-about part | Electrical System | Electrical System |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 35.6% | 14.1% |
BMW 525 by year
What breaks
Electrical System
16
15.8%
Airbags
12
11.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12
11.9%
Engine & Cooling
10
9.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
7
6.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
7
6.9%
Steering
5
5.0%
Brakes
5
5.0%
Mercedes Benz C Class by year
What breaks
Electrical System
95
38.2%
Engine & Cooling
26
10.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
16
6.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15
6.0%
Brakes
11
4.4%
Suspension
11
4.4%
Seats
10
4.0%
Airbags
9
3.6%