Mercedes-Benz CLS C218 (2010-2017): known problems and buying guide

A middling buy. The diesel has the fewest known faults, while Airmatic and the petrol timing chains are costly to fix.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
Coupé 350 d, 258 PS, 9-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive	€621	€19,950	144	Diesel	642852	Automatic (9)	2014–2017
Coupé 350 d, 258 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive	€669	€19,950	144	Diesel	642858	Automatic (9)	2015–2017
Coupé 250 d, 204 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€588	€19,950	63	Diesel	651924	Automatic (7)	2014–2017
Coupé 250 d, 204 PS, 9-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research	€565	€19,950	63	Diesel	651924	Automatic (9)	2014–2017

Years: 2010 to 2017 coupe and Shooting Brake, with the facelift in 2014.
Reliability: 3/5. The diesel has one known oil leak, while air suspension and petrol timing chains cost money.
DIY: 2/5. Air suspension and timing chain jobs need a scanner and a workshop.
Prefer: the 3.0 V6 diesel (OM642), and any car with a record of a timing chain job.
Avoid: Airmatic cars that sag after parking, and petrol V6 or V8 cars with no timing job on record.

M276 V6 petrol (276952, 276850): the timing chains and tensioners wear from about 130,000 km. See timing chain wear.
M278 V8 petrol (278922, CLS 500): the timing chain and tensioners wear. See timing chain wear.
M157 V8 petrol (157981, CLS 63 AMG): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
OM642 V6 diesel (642852, 642853, 642858): the heat-exchanger seal can leak oil after about 200,000 km, as in the E-Class W212.
OM651 four-cylinder diesel (651924): see the OM651 guide.
7G-Tronic 722.9 (seven-speed, pre-facelift cars): see the 7G-Tronic guide.
9G-Tronic 725.0 (nine-speed, most facelift cars): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT (seven-speed, CLS 63 AMG only): no fault confirmed in the sources read.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Airmatic air suspension failures	Cars with Airmatic (an option); all engines	About 65,000-110,000 km	No confirmed price
Timing chain and tensioner wear on the M278 V8	M278 V8 (278922)	From about 60,000 km; typically 130,000-160,000 km	No confirmed price
Timing chain and tensioner wear on the M276 V6	M276 V6 (276952, 276850)	From about 60,000 km; typically 130,000-160,000 km	No confirmed price

M278 V8 (CLS 500): start the engine cold and listen. A rattle lasting 3 to 7 seconds points to worn tensioners. Ask for a record of a timing chain and tensioner job. Bad result: the rattle, or no job above 130,000 km. A scanner is not needed.
Airmatic: after the car has stood overnight, look for a corner that sits lower than the others, and watch for the Airmatic warning. A scanner reads the air pressure and runs a leak test. Bad result: a leak, a failing compressor or a sagging corner.
M276 V6: start the engine cold and listen for the same 3 to 7 second rattle. Ask for a record of a timing chain and tensioner job. Bad result: the rattle, or no job above 130,000 km.
Recall: ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer, by VIN, whether the bulkhead clips from the 2015 engine-bay seal recall are fitted. The recall covers some petrol cars built July 2012 to December 2014. Bad result: no clips fitted.

Operational	€197
Workshop	€189
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€243
Total per month	€629
New-car depreciation (not included)	€125

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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