Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse 207/212 E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 265 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2010–2013)

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.

• 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. 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. OM642: look for fresh oil around the heat exchanger and filter housing.
3. On a lift, check sills, arches, lower door edges, tailgate and jacking points for bubbling or holed metal, or signs of crash repair.
4. Turn the wheel lock to lock. Bad result: whine, rack knock or fluid under the steering gear.
5. On a lift, check ball joints and bushes for play, leaks or knocks.
6. Check coolant level and temperature on a warm drive. Bad result: low coolant, overheating, or a noisy pump.
7. Check the sunroof drains are clear, then test the boot release, rear lamps and reversing camera. A scanner reads data-network (CAN) faults.
8. 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 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