Are Mercedes C Class Expensive to Maintain? Yes, Here’s How
So, you are planning to buy a Mercedes Benz C Class but are concerned about how much you would keep the budget for maintenance. Are Mercedes C Class expensive to maintain?
According to RepairPal, Mercedes C Class has an average maintenance cost of $900/year. This cost is relatively high. However, this maintenance cost is low compared to other German car brands like BMW and Audi.
A brand-new car will not guarantee long-lasting service. It is periodic maintenance that lets your car run for several miles. For this reason, maintenance cost is essential when buying a new C-Class car. Therefore, I have detailed how much it costs to maintain a Mercedes C Class by fuel, parts cost etc.
Are Mercedes C Class Expensive to Maintain?
The straightforward answer is; the Mercedes C Class cars expensive to maintain. However, don’t assume that Mercedes C Class is extremely expensive to maintain and that users cannot afford it.
The maintenance cost of Mercedes Benz C Class is still less than other premium-quality cars from Audi and BMW. These are listed as entry-level models from the Mercedes brand. Even a few higher-end models from Mercedes Benz cost more than C Class.
As per the reports of RepairPal, the annual maintenance cost for Mercedes C Class is roughly $900. In addition, the price can go up to $5,000 after about 5 years of driving this car.
Find the below chart showing maintenance cost between Mercedes C Class and other cars:
| Brand | Annual Maintenance Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Lexus | 778 |
| Chrysler | 1136 |
| Infiniti | 1180 |
| Mercedes C Class | 900 |
| BMW | 1931 |
| Audi | 1322 |
Usually, Mercedes C Class needs the first service once it reaches 10,000 miles. This is known as Service A. Once you drive it for 20,000 miles, Service B gets activated.
Remember, whether you are taking Service A or Service B, there are a few periodic maintenances to ensure, such as oil change, filter and oil change, Cooling system Flush, and rotation of the tires. Here is a list of the different maintenance costs,
| Maintenance Type | Service Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Service A | 250 – 500 |
| Service B | 600 – 1000 |
| Oil Change | 160 – 180 |
| Filter and Oil Change | 380 – 500 |
| Cooling System Flush | 265 – 350 |
| Rotation of the Tires | 100 – 300 |
The more mileage your Mercedes C Class covers; the maintenance schedule will be more frequent.
I have good news if you are thinking about reducing the maintenance cost. Mercedes Benz offers an “extended warranty” for its customers. Buy it from a third-party provider and enjoy maintenance cost reduction.
Mercedes Benz C Class Maintenance Schedule
Without ensuring periodic maintenance, no car will give you long-lasting service. Mercedes Benz C Class is also no exception.
Here I shared a chart of the maintenance schedule of C Class. Make sure to do the maintenance on time.
| Miles | Maintenance Schedule |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade |
| 13,000 | Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change |
| 20,000 | Tire Rotation, Brake System Flush, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter, Oil and Filter Change |
| 26,000 | Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter, Oil and Filter Change |
| 30,000 | Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade |
| 39,000 | Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change, Service of Transmission Fluid |
| 40,000 | Air Filter Replacement, Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Service of Transmission Fluid, Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Oil and Filter Change, Brake System Flush |
| 50,000 | Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade |
| 52,000 | Air Filter Replacement, Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Cabin Air Filter Replacement, Oil and Filter Change |
| 60,000 | Follow the same schedule of 40,000 miles |
| 65,000 | Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change |
| 70,000 | Follow the same schedule of 50,000 miles |
| 78,000 | Follow the same schedule of 30,000 miles |
| 80,000 | Air Filter Replacement, Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Service of Transmission Fluid, Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Oil and Filter Change, Replacement of Spark Plugs |
| 90,000 | Follow the same schedule of 50,000 miles |
| 91,000 | Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change, Spark Plugs Replacement |
| 100,000 | Tire Rotation, Brake System Flush, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Service for Transmission Fluid, Spark Plugs Replacement, Cabin Air Filter Replacement, Oil and Filter Change |
| 104,000 | Follow the same schedule of 30,000 miles |
| 110,000 | Follow the same schedule of 50,000 miles |
| 117,000 | Follow the same schedule of 65,000 miles |
| 120,000 | Follow the same schedule of 80,000 miles |
| 130,000 | Tire Rotation, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Cabin Air Filter Replacement, Oil and Filter Change |
| 140,000 | Tire Rotation, Brake System Flush, Cables/Battery Service, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade, Cabin Air Filter Replacement, Oil and Filter Change |
| 143,000 | Cooling System Flush, Replacement of Fuel Filter, Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change |
| 150,000 | Tire Rotation, Cooling System Flush, Replacement of Fuel Filter, Cables/Battery Service, Oil and Filter Change, Replacement of the windshield wiper blade |
Mercedes Benz C Class Maintenance Cost
There is a popular saying, “if you want the best, you pay for it!” It perfectly matches when it comes to Mercedes Benz maintenance costs.
Annual maintenance costs
As already said, the annual maintenance average cost for Mercedes Benz C Class is $950.
Since its inception, Mercedes Benz has been a top-quality brand, and it is no surprise that the maintenance cost will be expensive.
Here, it is just periodic maintenance such as tire rotation, air filter change, cables/battery service, car washing using the correct solution, etc. This regular maintenance enhances your car performance for sure.
Fuel cost
Fuel cost is 2X times more expensive compared to other cars. However, the cost may vary depending on the oil reservoir of your Mercedes Benz C Class model. Generally, the fuel change cost is $130.
Parts cost
Mercedes C Class parts often malfunction because they use premium-quality equipment in every area.
The good news is that; the repair cost can be reduced by having a Prepaid Maintenance Plan. But this plan is applicable for newer Mercedes Benz C Class models only. For older models, possible ways are unavailable.
| Repair | Average Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Water Pump | 750 – 870 |
| Brake Pad | 340 – 375 |
| Wheel Hub | 250 – 300 |
| Spark Plugs | 360 – 500 |
| Water Pump | 750 – 800 |
Is Mercedes C Class Expensive to Repair?
You already know that the Mercedes Benz C Class is expensive to repair compared to its class. Then you might be wondering why that is.
Remember, the Mercedes Benz is not an ordinary car. This is one of the finest and most sophisticated automobiles in the world. Every part is carefully engineered and tested by skilled technicians to guarantee they work smoothly and correctly on the road.
Moreover, when it comes to technology, they have always been trendsetters. Parts are specially ordered and manufactured by high-grade manufacturers, specifically for Mercedes. Furthermore, fewer technicians are working on Mercedes cars daily, causing higher repair costs.
Are Mercedes C Class Reliable Cars?
Yes, Mercedes C Class is one of the reliable cars they make.
The reliability ratings of Mercedes C Class coupe, sedan, or estate are similar.
This car model received a 71 reliability rating out of 100 per ReliabilityIndex.
Although it seems that this is a reliable car, the repair cost is higher than other vehicles in its range. You will have to cost $490 to repair a C Class car. This cost is pretty high compared to A Class and B Class models.
Roughly 33.7% of C Class customers experienced problems with the car’s electrical system.
However, the good news is that upgraded C Class models in the 2019 reliability survey have high-reliability scores and perform well on the road. Newer models earned 4-star out of 5-star ratings.
Moreover, the performance of petrol models is better than diesel motors. Approximately 16% of petrol C Class models faced different errors. On the other hand, almost 37% of diesel C Class models showed multiple problems.
Additionally, in terms of safety, Mercedes Benz is one of the safest cars in the world as it uses cutting-edge technology in all its cars.
It means Mercedes C Class has a good reliability rating. So, when buying this model, it is crucial to guarantee regular maintenance.
What problems does the Mercedes C-class have?
Mercedes Benz C Class has a few common problems, which are listed below,
Rust: Although this problem is resolved in the newer models, earlier models suffer from rust in different common places like behind the license plate, in the front fenders, near the bumpers, rear quarter panels, etc.
Engine Failure: Mercedes Benz C Class has a durable, reliable, and rigid engine. But the 2000 – 2009 models showed some engine errors. Customers of this model complained that they experienced engine failure. According to Mercedes Benz, it happens due to the failure of the electrical connection within the engine system.
Brakes: No continuous complaint is found regarding the brake failures in C Class models by any means, but the 2010 model had this particular problem. This problem occurs due to manufacturing errors. Mercedes installed incorrect discs on lots of C Class 2010 models.
Some other Mercedes C Class problems are,
- Active driving sensors failure
- Window regulators failure
- Unwanted wear out of the suspension and steering components
FAQs
Conclusion
Are Mercedes Benz C Class expensive to maintain? These cars are considered luxury cars. Parts of these cars are pretty cumbersome to find in the market. Moreover, all mechanics are unfamiliar with repairing or maintaining these reliable luxury sedans. For this reason, the Mercedes C Class is pretty expensive to maintain.
Remember to confirm periodic maintenance for these cars. Proper care will let you drive this car for more than 175,000 miles without showing a significant problem.
On the other hand, while buying a used Benz C Class, look at the documents of vehicle maintenance history. Also, inspect the car perfectly, especially for 2000 – 2009 models.
Happy Driving!
Resource:
https://www.dronsfields.com/blog/is-a-mercedes-benz-hard-to-maintain/
