Mercedes-Benz CLS 218 facelift Coupé 250 d, 204 PS, 9-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2014–2017)

Research for this car

• Generation guide 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.

• 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. 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.
2. 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.

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.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions