Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse 204 facelift C 250 CDI T-Modell, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive (2011–2014)

Research for this car

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

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

• Engine guide Mercedes OM651 2.1 diesel (C 220 CDI, E 250 CDI, Sprinter): problems, costs and what to check

  Durable when maintained, but check the cold start chain rattle, early injectors and the 2014 tensioner seal before you buy.

• Gearbox guide Mercedes 7G-Tronic (722.9) 7-speed automatic: problems, costs and what to check

  Buy only with fluid records and a clean full-system scan, and avoid any car that has run in limp mode or judders at a steady speed.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

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. On an OM651 diesel, ask for timing chain and tensioner records, and whether the tensioner recall was done.
4. 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.
5. 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.

From the engine guide

1. Timing chain (scanner needed). Start the engine cold and listen for a metallic rattle for 1-3 seconds. Ask a Mercedes dealer or a diesel specialist to read the cam phase offset (the timing gap between camshaft and crankshaft) with XENTRY, the Mercedes diagnostic tool. Check for codes P0016 and P0017. A plain OBD2 scanner may miss the offset. Bad: a rattle, a stored P0016 or P0017, or a large offset. A jumped chain can destroy the engine.
2. Injectors (scanner needed). Check for a warning light, rough running, judder and higher fuel use. Read the fault codes. Ask for the injector type and any replacement or service action invoice. Bad: a fault code, or piezo injectors with no service record.
3. Coolant (no scanner). Check the coolant level when the engine is cold, and check it again after a few weeks. Ask a dealer whether service action 1204P59A93 was done on the cylinder head coolant connection. Bad: a falling level or no record of the work.
4. Tensioner seal recall (VIN check). For cars built February to November 2014, ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for the seal ring fix. Bad: no record of the fix.
5. Emissions software update (VIN check). Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for the emissions software update. Bad: no record of the update.
6. Oil and service history (no scanner). Ask for oil change records. Long gaps between oil changes, short trips and poor oil all speed up chain wear. Bad: long gaps or no records.

From the gearbox guide

1. Read the shift pressure data with XENTRY or an equal Mercedes scanner. Bad result: pressure deviations above 0.5 bar, or adaptation values above 30 percent. Those point to valve body wear.
2. Read the full gearbox fault memory with a full-system scanner. An engine-only OBD2 reader does not show it. Bad result: speed sensor codes P0717, P0718, P0722 or P0793, or any stored limp mode.
3. Test drive cold and warm, and pull away from a stop. Bad result: stuck in 2nd, slipping between 1st and 2nd, or limp mode at about 48 km/h (30 mph).
4. Hold a steady light throttle at about 60 km/h. Bad result: a shudder or hum. A scanner shows converter slip; 5 to 25 rpm is normal, and above about 80 rpm points to clutch wear.
5. Ask for the fluid invoices and check the fluid. Bad result: no change after about 80,000 km, dark brown or black fluid, a burnt smell, or a fluid other than the one for the build. A wrong fluid can cause code P0741. Red-amber is the correct colour.
6. Ask a dealer whether bulletin LI27.20-P-055758 applies to the car's VIN, and whether it was done. Bad result: lock-up codes FC 2783 or FC 0741 still stored.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions