Item: Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2007 - 2014
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

The most obvious rival is the BMW 3 Series. Always popular, it can match the Mercedes for the sheer breadth of its range (from 316d to M3) and is a more engaging car to drive, but it can’t quite match the C-Class for comfort.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a> is another solid rival to the C-Class and is a more practical car, with a larger boot and more space in the back seats. Again, it has a vast engine range, although the perceived interior quality is a little disappointing for an Audi and the driving position is poor on manual cars due to heavily offset pedals.

A more left-field choice is the <a href="http://www.whatcar.com/lexus/is/saloon/review/">Lexus IS 300h</a>, introduced in 2013. Its hybrid drivetrain won’t be to all tastes, but it’s smoother and quieter than the C-Class, and has exceptional build quality and reliability.

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Headlamps can be a problem; they seem to be prone to letting moisture and condensation in, although the post-2012 facelift lights are less vulnerable in this respect.

Blue Efficiency diesel models can develop fuel injector problems, which will cause hesitant acceleration and uneven running.

A clunking noise from the optional seven-speed automatic gearbox is usually due to a faulty transmission valve, which can seriously damage the gearbox and cost as much as £3000 to rectify.

There were recalls for leaking fuel filters and power steering lines, incorrect brake discs, faulty Active Body Control sensors and engine management systems. Check if the car you’re looking at was affected and, if it was, that the work has been done.

This generation of C-Class was generally seen as a model where Mercedes worked hard to restore its reputation for quality.

The C-Class gets through bulbs, brake pads and brake discs faster than most rivals, but it’s easier on filters, suspension and brake fluid.

Generally speaking, no major engine work should be required on cars with less than 100,000 miles on the clock.

Mercedes as a brand finished in 26th place out of 31 manufacturers in our most recent reliability survey.&nbsp;

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Saloon

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

C CLASS

Some say the Mercedes C-Class came of age with this version – it's much better built than the previous model and more comfortable than the rival 3 Series and Audi A4.

Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2007 - 2014

There is a clear divide here between the smaller-engined, fleet-friendly models and the more performance-oriented variants.

Obviously, the V8-engined C63 AMG is a highly specialised car that will be expensive to run, but a C180 petrol, with better than 40mpg in daily driving, will be very similar in overall running costs to a more mainstream saloon, albeit with servicing costing more if you use a Mercedes main dealer.

The star of the range in terms of running costs is the C220 CDI, which can get close to its official 68mpg fuel economy figure in real-world driving and which, thanks to CO2 emissions of 109g/km, will cost just £20 a year to tax.

The only serious concern over running costs would be the failure of a major component, such as a gearbox or the ‘Comand’ infotainment system, which could cost many thousands of pounds to rectify.

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The Mercedes C-Class came of age with this version – it's much better built than the previous model and more comfortable than the rival 3 Series and Audi A4.

You can now buy pre-facelift C-Class models for less than £2000, especially if you’re buying privately or from a small, independent dealer. They lack the interior sophistication of later versions, but mechanically they should still have plenty of life left in them.

A post-facelift 2012 car will set you back around £5000 to £8000, depending on the engine and specification.

The last of the 2014 C-Classes still command prices of more than £10,000, while AMG performance versions are most expensive of all.

The C-Class range is broad enough to be bewildering, running from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 154bhp (the C180 Blue Efficiency, introduced in 2012) to the mighty 6.2-litre AMG V8 model with more than 500bhp in its final iteration.

The C180 petrol models probably represent the best value route to C-Class ownership – they’re frugal (unless your daily drive involves a lot of motorway miles) and quiet, with enough performance to be considered adequate.

The best all-rounder, though, is the 2.1-litre C220 CDI diesel, which in its post-2012 form came with 167bhp and the potential for fuel economy above 60mpg. It is rather noisy, especially when cold, but the mid-range performance is hugely impressive.

Post-2012 models could also be had with a menacing AMG-Line body kit, including black-finished alloy wheels, which really lifted the looks.

Our favourite used Mercedes C-Class: C220 CDI SE

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.

And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.

Executive

Unusually for a modern car, the Mercedes C-Class can suffer from rust, most commonly around the edge of the boot lid, close to the boot release handle.

The door mirrors can also be problematic, with noisy folding and adjusting motors and the integral indicator repeaters falling out of sync with the main units. They’re expensive to replace (as much as £500 each) so check them carefully.

The Comand infotainment system can be fragile, so make sure that all functions are working properly. There have also been reports of alloy wheels corroding and flaking.

Finally, the seats, especially when fitted with part-leather trim, are prone to bursting their stitches, so check carefully around the seat bases.

Although it's always been a competent car, the C-Class saloon has always been a little overshadowed by the BMW 3 Series. Such is the all-round completeness of that car that it's earned itself an almost iconic status, and the class it competes in, the compact executive one, has even come to be known by the car's name.&nbsp;

However, don't write off the C-Class. With the introduction of this third-generation model, it actually became truly competitive with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>. While the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a> still wasn’t as sharp to drive as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a>, it compensated with a softer, gentler ride. In fact, the overriding impression of this version of the C-Class was one of comfort, even if the four-cylinder diesel engines could be disappointingly noisy.

Head room is noticeably tighter in the rear seats than it is in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a> of the same era, but average-sized adults will still fit and the boot has enough room for a couple of big suitcases or golf bags.

It’s worth buying as recent a C-Class as possible because the dashboard received significant styling, quality and equipment updates as the car aged. There were two significant updates: one in 2011 and another in 2013.&nbsp;

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Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2007 - 2014 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Ownership cost

What used Mercedes C-Class saloon will I get for my budget?