Feedback from a major bizjet manufacturer: regulations have become so strict that the number of aircraft flying with defects is going up.
In the past most people would choose answer (c). Now because of EASA regulations they will either choose (b), or enter the malfunction into the MEL -if appropriate- and fly with it.
Unfortunately there's no way we could figure out how many operators do this, how often, how serious are the malfunctions, what impact it has on accident statistics, etc. This is just one piece of a big puzzle. But still... It shows that tighter regulations don't necessarily mean better safety margins.