Carsieve

Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 (2007-2014): known problems and buying guide

Built
2011–2015
Median price
€8,800
Listings
2,455
Running cost per month
€439–€813
Power
120–457 PS (88–336 kW)
Reliability
2/5
DIY
1/5

Check the M271 timing chain, the 7G-Tronic shifts and rear axle rust before paying. Ask for timing chain records.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
C 220 CDI T-Modell, 170 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€443€8,350420Diesel 651911Automatic (7)2011–2015
C 220 CDI T-Modell, 170 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€439€8,350420Diesel 651912Automatic (7)2013–2014
C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, 156 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€472€9,990203Petrol 271820, 271952Automatic (7)2011–2012
C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, 156 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€462€10,500194Petrol 274910Automatic (7)2012–2015
C 250 CDI T-Modell, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€464€8,900187Diesel 651911Automatic (7)2011–2015
C 250 CDI T-Modell, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€478€8,900187Diesel 651912Automatic (7)2011–2014
C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, 156 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research€470€7,999186Petrol 271820, 271952Manual (6)2011–2012
C 200 CDI T-Modell, 136 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€449€6,900176Diesel 651913Automatic (7)2011–2014
C 220 CDI T-Modell, 170 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research€443€6,998169Diesel 651911Manual (6)2011–2015
C 200 CDI T-Modell, 136 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research€444€5,999166Diesel 651913Manual (6)2011–2014
C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, 156 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive €454€8,989154Petrol 274910Manual (6)2012–2015
C 200 T-Modell, 184 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€468€10,300149Petrol 271860, 271950Automatic (7)2011–2015
C 250 T-Modell, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€483€11,200128Petrol 271860Automatic (7)2011–2015
C 300 CDI T-Modell, 231 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€570€9,70080Diesel 642830, 642832Automatic (7)2011–2014
C 350 Coupé, 306 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€518€13,80079Petrol 276957Automatic (7)2011–2015
C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, 306 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€538€13,80079Petrol 276957Automatic (7)2011–2013
C 350 CDI T-Modell, 265 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€539€10,70060Diesel 642834Automatic (7)2011–2014
C 200 T-Modell, 184 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research€464€9,00058Petrol 271860, 271950Manual (6)2011–2015
C 180 CDI T-Modell, 120 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research€443€5,90052Diesel 651913Manual (6)2011–2014
C 63 AMG Coupé, 457 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€813€37,99050Petrol (98) 156985Automatic (7)2011–2015
Show all 20 variants

At a glance

  • Years: built 2007 to 2014, with the facelift in 2011. ADAC breakdown rates were highest for 2009 and 2010 cars and low from 2012.
  • Reliability: 2/5. A stretched timing chain on the petrol four-cylinder and worn diesel injectors are the costly faults.
  • DIY: 1/5. Timing chain work takes about 15 hours in a workshop.
  • Prefer: OM651 diesels built from 2011, and cars with timing chain and gearbox fluid records. Avoid: M271 petrols with a cold-start rattle and no timing work, and OM651 diesels built before 2011.
  • Watch for: rear axle carrier rust and a failing steering lock on every model year.
  • Biggest risk: a stretched M271 timing chain, which can cause major engine damage.

Engines and gearboxes

  • M271, four-cylinder petrol (Kompressor, and the CGI / EVO turbo from 2009): timing chain stretch. See Known issues.
  • M272, V6 petrol (C 230, C 280, C 350 before the facelift): balance shaft gear wear and intake flap faults.
  • M274, 1.6 turbo petrol (from 2012): no common fault known.
  • M276, 3.5 V6 petrol (from 2011, replaced the M272): no common fault known.
  • OM646, 2.2 diesel: no common fault known.
  • OM651, 2.1 four-cylinder diesel (C 220 CDI, C 250 CDI): injector faults, mostly before 2011, and timing chain and tensioner wear.
  • OM642, V6 diesel (C 320 CDI, C 350 CDI): no common fault known.
  • 6-speed manual: no common fault known.
  • Automatics, 5G-Tronic (722.6) and 7G-Tronic (722.9): no common fault known for 5G-Tronic. 7G-Tronic shifts can jerk, see Known issues.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
M271 timing chain M271 four-cylinder petrol 70,000-130,000 km No confirmed price
Rear axle carrier rust All bodies and model years Not stated About 2,000 EUR (year not stated)
Ignition and steering lock All model years Not stated 645-1,042 EUR at Mercedes (2015)
OM651 timing chain and tensioner OM651 2.1 diesel Not stated No confirmed price
Automatic gearbox shift quality 7G-Tronic (722.9) 50,000-180,000 km No confirmed price
OM651 injectors OM651 2.1 diesel, built before 2011 Not stated No confirmed price
M272 balance shaft gear M272 V6, before the facelift Not stated No confirmed price
M272 intake manifold flaps M272 V6 Not stated No confirmed price

Before you buy

  1. Lift the car and check the rear axle carrier for rust. Rust that has eaten through means a repair of about 2,000 EUR (year not stated).
  2. Turn the key several times. Clicking with no start, or a steering lock that stays locked, means the electronic steering lock is failing.
  3. Start the engine cold and listen. A rattle that lasts a few seconds points to a stretched chain. A scanner can show codes P0016 or P0017. Ask for timing chain and tensioner records.
  4. On an OM651 diesel, ask for timing chain and tensioner records, and whether the tensioner recall was done.
  5. On the test drive, check for jerks when pulling away and on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Ask for gearbox oil change records. A Mercedes scan tool (XENTRY) shows pressure deviations. Above 0.5 bar points to valve body wear.
  6. On an OM651 built before 2011, check for rough idle, knocking or one cylinder running oddly. A scanner shows fuel quantity per cylinder. Ask for injector records.
  7. On a V6 M272 built before the facelift, scan for codes P0016 or P0017. Ask for engine records. Metal in the oil is a bad sign.
  8. On a V6, check for limp mode, power loss or a warning lamp. A scanner shows the intake flap codes. Ask for flap repair records.

Running costs

Operational€183
Workshop€133
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€157
Total per month€473
New-car depreciation (not included)€84

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.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
2,455
25th percentile
€6,650
Median price
€8,800
75th percentile
€11,199
Median mileage
195,000 km
Median first registration
2012
Dealer share
39.7%
Price at 100,000 km
€12,480

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

Full guide with details