Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse 207/212 E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 170 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive (2009–2013)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Mercedes E-Class W212 (2009-2016): known problems and buying guide

  A middling buy. Check the air suspension, steering and M276 oil pressure first, since air suspension faults are the biggest risk.

• 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. Air suspension: a sag after parking or a "vehicle too low" warning points to a fault. A scanner reads it and runs a leak test. Bad result: two air springs or a compressor.
2. On a lift, check sills, arches, lower door edges, tailgate and jacking points for bubbling or holed metal, or signs of crash repair.
3. Turn the wheel lock to lock. Bad result: whine, rack knock or fluid under the steering gear.
4. On a lift, check ball joints and bushes for play, leaks or knocks.
5. Check coolant level and temperature on a warm drive. Bad result: low coolant, overheating, or a noisy pump.
6. Check the sunroof drains are clear, then test the boot release, rear lamps and reversing camera. A scanner reads data-network (CAN) faults.
7. Test keyless opening from each door and the boot, then check the battery after the car has stood. A scanner reads antenna code 889, according to Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich.

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