Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 (2005-2011): known problems and buying guide

Check the Autotronic fluid record and the door seams before paying, and prefer a manual car with a full service history.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
B 180 CDI, 109 PS, 6-speed manual	€427	€3,800	167	Diesel	640940	Manual (6)	2008–2011
B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, 115 PS, 5-speed manual	€436	€4,500	123	Petrol	266940	Manual (5)	2008–2011
B 180, 115 PS, automatic	€462	€6,990	111	Petrol	266940	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
B 180 CDI, 109 PS, automatic	€433	€4,899	99	Diesel	640940	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
B 200, 136 PS, automatic	€478	€5,999	92	Petrol	266960	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
B 200, 136 PS, automatic	€446	€5,999	92	Petrol	266960	CVT-Getriebe	2008
B 200 CDI, 140 PS, automatic	€441	€4,999	75	Diesel	640941	CVT-Getriebe	2008–2011
B 160 BlueEFFICIENCY, 95 PS, 5-speed manual	€429	€4,390	69	Petrol	266920	Manual (5)	2008–2011
B 200 CDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual	€429	€3,800	51	Diesel	640941	Manual (6)	2008–2011

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.

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.

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

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.

Operational	€209
Workshop	€109
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€133
Total per month	€451
New-car depreciation (not included)	€68

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

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