Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse 204 C 200 CDI, 136 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2007–2009)

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.

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. Emissions software update (VIN check). Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for the emissions software update. Bad: no record of the update.
5. 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.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions