Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 d, 204 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €570 | €22,900 | 637 | Diesel | 651921 | Automatic (9) | 2015–2019 |
| 220 d, 170 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €563 | €21,900 | 598 | Diesel | 651921 | Automatic (9) | 2015–2019 |
| 250, 211 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €572 | €25,100 | 318 | Petrol | 274920 | Automatic (9) | 2015–2019 |
| 350 d, 258 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €626 | €26,850 | 200 | Diesel | 642873 | Automatic (9) | 2016–2019 |
| 43 AMG, 367 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €742 | €32,500 | 177 | Petrol (98) | 276823 | Automatic (9) | 2016–2019 |
| 300, 245 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €626 | €28,790 | 105 | Petrol (98) | 274920 | Automatic (9) | 2016–2019 |
| 63 S AMG, 510 PS, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €927 | €44,800 | 57 | Petrol (98) | 177980 | Automatic (9) | 2017–2019 |
At a glance
- Years: 2015 to 2022. The 2019 facelift replaced the 2.1-litre diesel with a 2.0-litre OM654 diesel.
- Reliability: 3/5. The emissions update, AdBlue faults and 9G-Tronic shifts cost time.
- DIY: 2/5. AdBlue and gearbox codes need a scanner; gearbox jobs go to a workshop.
- Prefer: a car with a full service record, proof of the emissions update and a clean shift test.
- Avoid: an OM651 car built 2015 or 2016 with no proof of the software update.
Engines and gearboxes
- OM651 2.1 diesel (220d, 250d): see the OM651 guide, which covers its own faults. The emissions software update below applies to it.
- OM642 3.0 V6 diesel (350d): the emissions software update applies here too, for cars built until mid-2018.
- OM654 2.0 diesel (2019 on): AdBlue warnings and dosing faults, see below.
- M274 2.0 petrol (GLC 250 and 300, 2015-2019, also the 350e): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M264 2.0 petrol (facelift GLC 200 and 300, 2019 on): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M276 3.0 V6 (AMG GLC 43): two German guides report timing chain problems on older revisions and call them fixed on later ones.
- M177 4.0 V8 (AMG GLC 63): no engine fault confirmed in the sources read.
- OM656 2.9 diesel (400d): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Plug-in hybrids (350e, 300e, 300de): no hybrid fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 9G-Tronic 725.0: shift jerking and late upshifts, see below.
- 7G-Tronic 722.9: see the 7G-Tronic guide, which covers the early 350e.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions software update | GLC 220d and 250d built 06/2015 to 11/2016 (OM651); GLC 350d until 06/2018 (OM642) | Not stated | No price given |
| Shift jerking in the 9G Tronic | Cars with the 9G-Tronic gearbox | Not stated | Fluid flush 580-780 EUR; mechatronic 1,480-2,180 EUR (one German workshop, year not stated) |
| AdBlue warning and dosing faults | OM651 and OM654 diesels | Not stated; tank heater faults after three to four winters | NOx sensor 380-520 EUR; AdBlue tank heater 240-360 EUR (one German workshop, year not stated) |
| Tyre scrub and crabbing on full lock | All GLCs; RAC reports it on right-hand-drive cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Gearbox: on a cold test drive, check for jerks in second to fourth gear, late upshifts and a hard engagement into reverse. A scanner reads fault P0700. Bad result: jerks that stay after warm-up, or P0700 in the memory. Ask for the fluid change record.
- AdBlue: watch for an AdBlue warning or emergency running. A scanner reads codes P20EE, P229F and P1564 (AdBlue tank heater). Bad result: a stored code, or a warning with a full tank.
- Emissions: ask for proof that the software update was done at a Mercedes workshop, and enter the VIN to check open campaigns. Bad result: no record of the update.
- Tyre scrub: turn the wheel to full lock at walking pace and listen and feel for a skip or judder from the outside front tyre. Bad result: a skip or judder.
Running costs
| Operational | €235 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €213 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €210 |
| Total per month | €658 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €134 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 2,225
- 25th percentile
- €20,500
- Median price
- €24,390
- 75th percentile
- €28,900
- Median mileage
- 132,500 km
- Median first registration
- 2017
- Dealer share
- 77.9%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €28,252
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Emissions software update
Symptoms: none that the driver feels. The engine software shuts off emissions controls in some conditions, which is an illegal switch-off device.
Cause: engine software on the OM651 and OM642. Auto Express names both engines in its 2018 report. The German vehicle authority (KBA) ordered the update.
Which cars: GLC 220d and 250d built June 2015 to November 2016 (MBpassion). GLC 350d built until June 2018 (CarWiki).
Fix: a software update at a Mercedes workshop. Owners were asked to book it. Without it, the car can be taken off the road, according to CarWiki and gebrauchtwagenberater.
Cost: no price given.
Sources: MBpassion: KBA update, Auto Express: emissions defeat devices, CarWiki: GLC problems
Shift jerking in the 9G Tronic
Symptoms: jerking in second to fourth gear when the car is warm, late upshifts, and a hard engagement into reverse. A scanner shows fault P0700. A GLC 43 owner reports a jerky third-to-second downshift in every mode; the dealer called it normal.
Cause: worn transmission fluid and coked solenoid valves in the mechatronic, the gearbox control unit. The gearbox has to relearn its shift points (adaptation).
Which cars: cars with the 9G-Tronic gearbox.
Fix: a fluid flush with a new filter, an adaptation reset and a learning drive of about 15 km. The mechatronic is rarely needed.
Cost (EUR net, year not stated, one German workshop): flush 580-780 EUR; mechatronic 1,480-2,180 EUR.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: GLC X253 typical problems, PistonHeads: GLC43 issues
AdBlue warning and dosing faults
Symptoms: an AdBlue warning with a full tank, and emergency running. Codes P20EE, P229F and P1564 (AdBlue tank heater, which fails after three to four winters).
Cause: on the OM654 from September 2019, urea crystals can block the dosing valve. The tank heater can fail in cold weather. A NOx sensor after the catalytic converter can also fail. A CarWiki reader found a clogged dosing nozzle on an OM651 250d.
Which cars: OM651 and OM654 diesels.
Fix: diagnose first, then replace the faulty part (NOx sensor or tank heater).
Cost (EUR net, year not stated, one German workshop): diagnosis from 89 EUR; NOx sensor 380-520 EUR; AdBlue tank heater 240-360 EUR.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich: GLC X253 typical problems, KFZ Dietrich: GLC X253 diagnosis, CarWiki: GLC problems
Tyre scrub and crabbing on full lock
Symptoms: at low speed on full lock, the outside front tyre skips and jumps. Larger wheels are louder. Owners also report uneven wear on the outer tyre shoulder.
Cause: no confirmed cause. RAC calls it a steering geometry issue.
Which cars: all GLCs, per Auto Express. RAC reports it on right-hand-drive cars; owners report it on left-hand-drive cars too.
Fix: no confirmed fix. Owners say a steering knuckle replacement under warranty helped, and new tyres or lower control arms helped a little.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Auto Express: used GLC buyer's guide, RAC: GLC Coupe 2019-2022, PistonHeads: GLC Coupe crabbing, PistonHeads: GLC 220d and 350d owners
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (two sites) | not given | Built 06/2015 to 11/2016 (OM651, 220d and 250d) | Software update that removes the emissions switch-off device. |
| Germany (two sites) | not given | Built until 06/2018 (OM642, 350d) | Software update for the same defect. |
Check open campaigns for your VIN with a Mercedes dealer.
Maintenance
- Ask for proof that the emissions software update was done. Without it, the car can be taken off the road.
- Keep the gearbox fluid change on record. A flush followed by an adaptation reset is the usual fix for shift jerks (one German workshop).
Sources
English
- Auto Express: used GLC buyer's guide (2020)
- Auto Express: emissions defeat devices (2018)
- RAC Drive: GLC Coupe 2019-2022
- PistonHeads: GLC43 issues
- PistonHeads: GLC Coupe crabbing
- PistonHeads: GLC 220d and 350d owners
German
- MBpassion: KBA update for the C-Klasse (lists GLC 220d and 250d)
- CarWiki: GLC problems
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de: GLC problems
- KFZ Dietrich: GLC X253 typical problems
- KFZ Dietrich: GLC X253 diagnosis
Russian
Russian coverage is thin: two pages from one Lithuanian parts importer. They are not used for any figure or fault in this guide.