Mercedes M-Class W164 (2005-2011): known problems and buying guide

A risky buy for its age. Check the M272 timing drive, OM642 intake flaps and Airmatic first, since these are the hardest repairs.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
ML 350 CDI, 231 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€658	€10,999	87	Diesel	642820	Automatic (7)	2010–2011
ML 320 CDI, 224 PS, 7-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€659	€8,500	77	Diesel	642940	Automatic (7)	2008–2010

Years and engines: 2005 to 2011, with a facelift in 2008. Diesel V6 (OM642) and V8 (OM629), petrol V6 (M272), V8 (M113, M273) and an AMG V8 (M156). All are 4MATIC with a 7-speed automatic.
Reliability: 2/5. Engine drive faults, oil seal leaks and air suspension failures recur, and several need workshop time.
DIY: 2/5. Owner checks are simple, but the engine and air suspension repairs need a workshop.
Prefer: cars with proof of the M272 balance-shaft work, or diesels with records of oil cooler and intake flap repairs.
Avoid: early M272 cars with no proof of timing work, and cars that sag overnight.

OM642 3.0 V6 diesel (ML 280-320 CDI, 350 CDI): oil cooler seal leaks and intake flap faults. See oil cooler seal leaks and intake flap faults. Also reported: exhaust manifold wear that sends pieces into the turbo, and coked EGR and turbo vanes.
OM629 4.0 V8 diesel (ML 420 CDI): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
M272 3.5 V6 petrol (ML 350): early cars have balance-shaft gear wear. See balance-shaft gear wear.
M113 5.0 V8 petrol (ML 500, to 2007): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
M273 5.5 V8 petrol (ML 500, from 2007): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
M156 6.2 V8 petrol (ML 63 AMG): camshafts and tappets are reported to wear, by a German and a Russian site.
7G-Tronic 722.9 automatic: see the 7G-Tronic guide.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
M272 balance-shaft gear wear	M272 V6 petrol, cars built to about 2006	Not stated	No confirmed price
OM642 intake flaps and EKAS actuator	OM642 V6 diesel	Not stated; kfz-dietrich.com advises checks from 150,000 km	Just under 2,000 EUR for the EKAS actuator (Germany, gebrauchtwagenberater.de on the E-Class W211, year not stated)
OM642 oil cooler seal leaks	OM642 V6 diesel	Not stated	No confirmed price
Airmatic air suspension faults	Cars with optional Airmatic	Bellows about 100,000-140,000 km	No confirmed price
Rear water ingress, SAM module and tailgate	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Alternator and battery	All cars	Not stated	1,230-1,490 EUR for an alternator (Germany, ADAC, year not stated)
Chassis, steering pump and brake hoses	All cars	About 100,000 km for tie rods and the steering pump (Russian sites)	No confirmed price

Check the OM642 intake flaps. A scanner reads fault codes P2004 and P2005, and an actuator test shows whether the flaps move. Bad result: those codes, rough running or lost power. Needs a scanner.
Ask for proof that the M272 balance-shaft gear was checked or replaced, and listen for a rattle on a cold start. Bad result: no proof, or a rattle or fault codes. The repair usually means taking the engine out.
Look for oil in the V of the OM642 engine and at the back where the engine meets the gearbox. Bad result: fresh oil, or oil in the coolant.
Park the car overnight and check its height in the morning. A sag or an air suspension warning points to a leak. A scanner reads how often the compressor runs; bad result: it runs very often.
Look at the rear light seals and boot for damp, and at the rear light area for water marks. Test the electric tailgate: open and close it and listen for a whine or a knock. Bad result: water in the boot, or lights, wipers or displays that fail.
Check the charging warning light and the battery. Bad result: a warning light while driving, or a battery that is flat in the morning.
Turn the wheel lock to lock and drive over bumps. On a lift, look at the brake hoses for wet patches. Bad result: play or knocks in the steering, or damp brake hoses.
Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns, including the brake booster campaign 011819. Bad result: the campaign is still open and the booster has not been checked.

Operational	€324
Workshop	€183
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€197
Total per month	€704
New-car depreciation (not included)	€109

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

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.