Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse 213/238 E 220 d Cabriolet, 194 PS, 9-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, convertible (2017–2020)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Mercedes E-Class W213 (2016-2023): known problems and buying guide

  A comfortable, well-equipped saloon with costly diesel and air suspension faults, so check the recall work and service history first.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Coolant pump: Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, including the coolant pump. Look for coolant loss or a hot engine bay. Bad result: an open campaign or coolant loss.
2. Timing chain (OM654): Listen for a rattle in the first five seconds after a cold start. A scanner reads codes P0016, P0017 and P0008. Ask for proof of the 2022 recall work. Bad result: a rattle, an uneven idle or stored codes.
3. Rocker arms (OM654): Check the engine number. Engines up to 80278366 had the fault unless the 2018 rocker arms were fitted. Listen for ticking or a rumble at idle. Bad result: ticking or a rumble from under the bonnet.
4. NOx sensors and AdBlue (diesels): Ask for the full stamped service history. A scanner reads NOx and dosing faults. Bad result: stored NOx codes or AdBlue warnings.
5. Air suspension: Park the car overnight and check whether a corner sinks. A scanner reads level and compressor faults. Bad result: a low corner or a compressor that runs all the time.
6. 9G-Tronic gearbox: Drive in town and pull away from a stop. Ask for the gearbox fluid service record; the interval is 80,000-100,000 km. A scanner shows stored gearbox faults. Bad result: jerks, late shifts when cold, or no record.
7. Infotainment and touch controls: Test every screen, the voice control, CarPlay and the steering-wheel touch buttons. A scanner reads the stored faults. Bad result: freezes, reboots or dead buttons.
8. Front axle: On a lift, check the ball joints and wishbone bushes for play. Drive over bumps and listen. Bad result: play, or knocks from the front.
9. Paint and rattles: Check the paint for scratches and thin spots in good light. Listen for rattles from the dash and door cards on a rough road. Bad result: thin or flaking paint, or rattles.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions