By make

Known Mercedes-Benz problems at the APK

Over all generations together Mercedes-Benz has an A-problem about as often than cars of the same age (rank 24 of 33 makes). 84 times a part fails clearly more often than average on a Mercedes-Benz generation.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

By part

Control arms / ball joints

Repair: medium
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 36.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.9%)
  • E-Klasse W213/S213 2016–2025 · 13.7% at 9–10 yrs (national 1.1%)
  • C-Klasse S205 2015–2023 · 12.9% at 9–10 yrs (national 1.1%)
  • GLC X253 2015–2025 · 12.6% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • C-Klasse W205 2015–2025 · 12.5% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.3%)
  • EQC 2019–2025 · 12.0% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • E-Klasse W212/S212 2009–2024 · 11.5% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • C-Klasse W204 2007–2014 · 9.7% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.3%)
  • GLE V167 2019–2026 · 7.6% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • C-Klasse S204 2007–2014 · 7.6% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.3%)
  • V-Klasse / Vito W447 2014–2026 · 7.2% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • A-Klasse W176 2012–2018 · 4.9% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.9%)
  • B-Klasse W245 2005–2014 · 5.6% at 16+ yrs (national 2.7%)
  • CLA C117 2013–2019 · 4.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.9%)
  • A-Klasse W177 2018–2026 · 2.5% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.9%)
  • B-Klasse W246 2011–2018 · 1.9% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.3%)

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

Brakes

Repair: medium

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Warning lights

Repair: medium

Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.

Brake lines

Repair: medium

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

Leaks

Repair: medium

Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.

Tyres

Repair: small

Check the tread and look for uneven wear: that points to an alignment problem. The DOT code on the tyre tells its age.

Drive shafts

Repair: medium

Look behind the front wheels at the rubber boots: no tears or grease around them. Drive a tight turn: no clicking noise.

Wheels and wheel bearings

Repair: medium

On the test drive, listen for a humming noise that rises with speed.

Springs and shock absorbers

Repair: medium

Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.

Structural rust

Repair: large

Look under the sills, in the wheel arches and at the suspension mounts, and press on suspicious spots. Watch for fresh sealant or new underbody coating.

Exhaust and emissions

Repair: medium

Start the engine cold and watch for smoke and an uneven idle. Listen for blowing noises under the car.

Lights

Repair: small
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 21.7% at 7–8 yrs (national 11.4%)

Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.

Seat belts, seats and airbags

Repair: medium
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 7.8% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.4%)

Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.

Steering

Repair: large
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 5.4% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.2%)

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Windows and visibility

Repair: small
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 7.4% at 9–10 yrs (national 4.1%)

Look for chips and cracks especially in the driver’s field of view. Test the wipers and washers.

Engine and drivetrain

Repair: large
  • Sprinter 2006–2026 · 0.7% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.4%)

Start cold and listen for ticking, watch for smoke and jerks when shifting.

All Mercedes-Benz generations in a row

GenerationA-problems vs. the same ageKnown problemsInspected
C-Klasse W2062021–202669% less often11,492
C-Klasse S2062021–202669% less often01,440
ML / GLE W1662011–202057% less often23,563
GLA H2472020–202653% less often04,344
CLA C1172013–201948% less often410,376
A-Klasse W1762012–201846% less often417,991
EQA2021–202646% less often01,354
B-Klasse W2462011–201843% less often219,530
EQB2021–202638% less often0635
A-Klasse W1772018–202638% less often412,740
CLA C1182019–202628% less often15,448
A-Klasse W1692005–201214% less often416,073
C-Klasse W2042007–201414% less often611,419
GLE V1672019–2026about as often22,598
C-Klasse W2052015–2025about as often410,375
E-Klasse W212/S2122009–20246% more often915,633
B-Klasse W2452005–201413% more often413,921
C-Klasse S2042007–201426% more often56,685
C-Klasse S2052015–202341% more often311,135
E-Klasse W213/S2132016–202561% more often33,116
GLC X2532015–202562% more often211,707
EQC2019–202592% more often1919
V-Klasse / Vito W4472014–20263.9× as often92,713
Sprinter2006–20264.4× as often148,705

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Frequently asked questions

Which problems are common on Mercedes-Benz cars?

At the APK control arms / ball joints stands out for Mercedes-Benz: on 16 of 25 generations it is clearly more common than on cars of the same age. Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know