Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B 170, 115 PS, 5-speed manual | €446 | €3,090 | 141 | Petrol | 266940 | Manual (5) | 2005–2008 |
| B 170, 115 PS, automatic | €455 | €4,970 | 138 | Petrol | 266940 | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
| B 200, 136 PS, automatic | €466 | €4,300 | 118 | Petrol | 266960 | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
| B 180 CDI DPF, 109 PS, 6-speed manual | €438 | €2,390 | 87 | Diesel | 640940 | Manual (6) | 2005–2008 |
| B 200, 136 PS, 5-speed manual | €464 | €3,150 | 83 | Petrol | 266960 | Manual (5) | 2005–2008 |
| B 200 CDI DPF, 140 PS, automatic | €450 | €3,000 | 76 | Diesel | 640941 | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
| B 150, 95 PS, 5-speed manual | €431 | €3,000 | 62 | Petrol | 266920 | Manual (5) | 2005–2008 |
| B 180 CDI DPF, 109 PS, automatic | €446 | €3,300 | 59 | Diesel | 640940 | CVT-Getriebe | 2005–2008 |
At a glance
- Years: built mid-2005 to mid-2011. The facelift came in June 2008.
- Reliability: 2/5. The Autotronic CVT and body rust are the costly faults.
- DIY: 2/5. Checks are easy; gearbox and body work need a workshop.
- Prefer: a manual car with full service records, built after mid-2006.
- Avoid: an Autotronic car with no fluid history, and rust bubbles at the door and bonnet seams.
Engines and gearboxes
- Petrol M266, B 150, B 170 and B 200: two German sites call it solid if oil changes are kept.
- Petrol M266 turbo, B 200 Turbo: no turbo-specific fault in the sources.
- OM640 diesel, B 180 CDI and B 200 CDI: two German sites name clogged EGR valves and dual-mass flywheel failures. Keep the records.
- Autotronic CVT: the main gearbox risk, optional on every engine. Buy only with fluid records. See Autotronic CVT gearbox.
- Manual gearbox: the preferred choice. Two German sites advise against the automatic.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autotronic CVT gearbox | Autotronic CVT (optional on all) | Not stated | 450-1,800 GBP in owner reports (UK, 2013-2014; two forums) |
| Door and body rust | All cars; worst on cars built to mid-2006 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Brake wear and corroded lines | All cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Drive shaft and CV joint wear | All cars; ADAC names 2005-2007 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Sunroof leaks and jamming | Cars with the slatted sunroof | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for Autotronic fluid records. Fluid every 50,000-60,000 km. On the test drive, watch for a limp-home warning, a whine or slow reactions. A scanner reads gearbox codes.
- Check door seams, bonnet edges and underbody for rust. Bubbles mean advanced rust. Rust is the model's biggest weakness.
- On cars built to mid-2006, check door and bonnet seams hardest. The old sealant is the known problem.
- Check brake discs, handbrake pull and brake lines. Worn discs, a handbrake that pulls unevenly or rusty lines are bad signs.
- Check the coil springs on a lift. Two German sites name broken springs as a common inspection finding.
- Look at the drive shaft gaiters for tears and check the joints for play.
- Open the slatted sunroof. Water marks, noise or a roof that will not open need a specialist.
Running costs
| Operational | €208 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €111 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €145 |
| Total per month | €464 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €59 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 960
- 25th percentile
- €2,500
- Median price
- €3,500
- 75th percentile
- €4,800
- Median mileage
- 173,800 km
- Median first registration
- 2006
- Dealer share
- 49.3%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €5,201
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Autotronic CVT gearbox
The Autotronic is a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT). It was optional on every engine and shared with the A-Class W169.
The common faults are the speed sensors and the control unit in the valve body, the hydraulic control block. The thrust link belt can wear early and damage the gearbox. Metal debris and overheating make it worse.
Symptoms: a limp-home warning to visit the workshop, a low whine below about 30 mph, slow kickdown, wrong gear selection and sluggish response. A scanner reads gearbox codes.
Fix: replace the control unit or valve body, repair the sensors, or fit a rebuilt unit. Owners report a valve body at about 1,000 GBP plus labour (UK, 2014), a rebuilt unit at about 800 GBP, a sensor repair at about 450 GBP plus labour (UK, 2014) and a terminal repair at about 1,800 GBP (UK, about 2013). These figures come from owner forums. Two German sites say a repair is rarely worth it.
Sources: MBClub, Mercedes A-Class auto any good, PistonHeads, terminal CVT failure, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 problems, auto.ru, common faults of used W169 hatchbacks
Door and body rust
Rust starts at door edges, seams and the bonnet, and can reach the tailgate and strut towers.
Cause: elastic sealant on the door and bonnet flange was applied before the dip coating, so moisture gets under it. The documented window is build June 2004 to June 2006. Mercedes changed to a smooth sealant in June 2006.
Bubbles mean advanced corrosion. Rust is the model's biggest weakness, at edges and under the sealant; later cars are not immune.
No rust recall; cases were goodwill at service visits. Light cases are resealed, heavy rust needs new doors.
Sources: AUTO BILD, corrosion on Mercedes A and B-Class (2008), auto motor und sport, B-Class used guide (2025), CarWiki, Mercedes B-Klasse problems, PistonHeads, petrol CVT buying thread
Brake wear and corroded lines
Brake discs wear faster than average and are often worn from about five years. The handbrake can pull unevenly at the first inspection, and CarWiki says discs and handbrake wear fast. Brake lines rust. Sources give no model-specific price.
Sources: t-online, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 (2016), CarWiki, Mercedes B-Klasse problems, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 problems
Drive shaft and CV joint wear
Drive shafts go bad quickly and the gaiters leak. ADAC names drive shaft joints on 2005-2007 cars. One 2007 B 150 owner had both replaced under warranty. No model-specific price is given.
Sources: t-online, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 (2016), CarWiki, Mercedes B-Klasse problems, PistonHeads, facelift vs pre-facelift
Sunroof leaks and jamming
The slatted sunroof (Lamellendach) can leak or fail to open and needs a specialist repair. It is often noisy and leaks on older cars. Check for water marks and test every position. No price is given.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 problems, CarWiki, Mercedes B-Klasse problems
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (AUTO BILD, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, CarWiki, 2010) | not given | Petrol M266, built 1-12 July 2010 | Vent line checked and replaced if needed; fuel smell in cabin. Sources differ on engines, so check by VIN. |
| Germany (two German sites) | not given | Built 7-13 August 2008 (CarWiki gives 2018, which is after the W245 was built) | Buckle locking pawls checked and replaced if needed. |
Check open campaigns by VIN before buying.
Maintenance
- Autotronic fluid: change it every 50,000-60,000 km. Records matter more than mileage.
- Petrol M266: keep oil changes on time. Missed services and short trips are the main risk.
- Brakes and suspension: check lines, springs and handbrake at every service.
Sources
English
- MBClub, Mercedes A-Class auto any good
- PistonHeads, petrol CVT buying thread
- PistonHeads, facelift vs pre-facelift
- PistonHeads, terminal CVT failure
German
- AUTO BILD, corrosion on Mercedes A and B-Class (2008)
- AUTO BILD, fuel vent line recall (2010)
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 problems
- t-online, Mercedes B-Klasse T245 (2016)
- auto motor und sport, B-Class used guide (2025)
- CarWiki, Mercedes B-Klasse problems