Mercedes-Benz C-Class Problems

There is nothing that should cause them any concern, the C-Class ’Benz is a well-engineered and well-built car. While they are generally reliable they can, like any car, breakdown and need repairs. Servicing can be expensive, you pay for the name. Otherwise, any common faults are likely to show up on our problems page. 

The C63 is a good car worth buying, if it hasn’t been thrashed and had a good record of regular servicing. With that sort of mileage on it you should be able to enjoy many years of reliable and fun motoring in the future. Costs of servicing can be high if you used a dealer, but you can reduce the cost by going to an independent Mercedes-Benz specialist mechanic.

We’ve asked Mercedes-Benz for help with your problem, but in the meantime you could take the car to a Mercedes-Benz specialist mechanic and have then show you, or do it for you.

Is it a minor service? Perhaps it’s a major one? The cost depends on what needs to be done. The best thing to do is to ring around and check a number of service places, from main retails outlets like Kmart, Repco, Ultra-Tune etc., and some specialist Mercedes-Benz mechanics. That would you a good guide.

In terms of reliability and common faults there is little difference between Mazda, Honda and Toyota. They are all good, reputable brands building cars of a good quality with few reliability issues. Choose the one that best suits your family needs.

Buying a smaller, new car would give you the certainty of a long warranty and the benefit of capped price servicing. You could consider a Kia Rio, for instance, which would have a 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

I assume the noise you are unhappy with is road noise. You could try a Michelin tyre, which is probably your best option, but the tyres are run-flats, so you won't get a soft ride whatever the brand you fit.

From personal experience I would advise against buying an old Euro, they can be expensive.

They can be nice to drive, and it’s nice to have a prestigious brand in your driveway, but parts can be expensive if you need to repair them.

My dalliance wasn’t with a Mercedes, it was another European brand, but I was regularly forking out for repairs as one thing after another failed and I mean seriously spending money. The problem is that they all look like new on the outside, even when they’re clapped-out.

It would need to be low mileage, less than 100,000 km, properly serviced, should have no oil or water leaks, no exhaust smoke, the engine should be smooth running, and the transmission should be smooth and seamless in operation.

Servicing isn’t necessarily expensive if you avoid dealers and use an experienced specialist mechanic.