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Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C300: reliability compared

From 2010 to 2025, owners filed an average of 28 complaints per model year about the Audi A4 and 170 about the Mercedes-Benz C300.

Side by side

Audi A4Mercedes-Benz C300
Model years compared2010-20252010-2025
Owner complaints4512,725
Complaints per model year28170
Recalls863
Years to avoidNone stand out20102011
Best years201220132015201920202022
Most common problemEngineAirbags
Crash rating5 2025No data
Fuel economy26-29 mpg combined (2025)No data

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2010 Audi A4: 642010 Mercedes-Benz C300: 45320102011 Audi A4: 112011 Mercedes-Benz C300: 4802012 Audi A4: 192012 Mercedes-Benz C300: 26720122013 Audi A4: 242013 Mercedes-Benz C300: 2622014 Audi A4: 322014 Mercedes-Benz C300: 9420142015 Audi A4: 192015 Mercedes-Benz C300: 3822016 Audi A4: 112016 Mercedes-Benz C300: 29120162017 Audi A4: 572017 Mercedes-Benz C300: 2162018 Audi A4: 452018 Mercedes-Benz C300: 9920182019 Audi A4: 102019 Mercedes-Benz C300: 702020 Audi A4: 1282020 Mercedes-Benz C300: 3420202021 Audi A4: 112021 Mercedes-Benz C300: 152022 Audi A4: 62022 Mercedes-Benz C300: 2520222023 Audi A4: 112023 Mercedes-Benz C300: 222024 Audi A4: 22024 Mercedes-Benz C300: 1120242025 Audi A4: 12025 Mercedes-Benz C300: 4
Audi A4Mercedes-Benz C300

Problems compared

A4C300
Engine145417
Electrical141324
Driver assistance6980
Fuel system33293
Steering31221
Transmission30100
Airbags25760
Body8346
Suspension11260

Questions about the Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C300

Which is more reliable, the Audi A4 or the Mercedes-Benz C300?

Between 2010 and 2025, the Audi A4 has 0 years to avoid and the Mercedes-Benz C300 2. The Audi A4 has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Audi A4 drew fewer complaints per model year (28 vs 170), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Audi A4 or the Mercedes-Benz C300?

From 2010 to 2025, the Audi A4 was covered by 8 recalls and the Mercedes-Benz C300 by 63.

What years of the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C300 should you avoid?

Audi A4: no year stands out. Mercedes-Benz C300: 2010 and 2011.

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