Known APK problem

Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205: control arms / ball joints

On the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205 the APK inspector finds control arms / ball joints problems 11.7× as often as on cars of the same age: at 9–10 years 12.9%, against about 1.1% nationally.

Illustration Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205

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

What is it?

Worn bushes or ball joints in the suspension.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

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

Ask the seller: Have the control arms or ball joints been replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	C-Klasse S205	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
5 – 6 years	A	0.6%	0.3 – 1.1%	0.3%	1.8×	1,519
5 – 6 years	C	3.8%	2.9 – 4.8%	0.9%	4.4×	1,519
7 – 8 years	A	3.2%	2.6 – 3.8%	0.5%	6.4×	3,227
7 – 8 years	C	9.4%	8.4 – 10.4%	0.9%	10.7×	3,227
9 – 10 years	A	5.5%	4.9 – 6.1%	0.9%	6.4×	5,630
9 – 10 years	B	0.7%	0.5 – 0.9%	0.6%	1.1×	5,630
9 – 10 years	C	12.9%	12.1 – 13.9%	1.1%	11.7×	5,630
11 – 12 years	A	5.5%	4.1 – 7.4%	1.3%	4.3×	759
11 – 12 years	B	1.2%	0.6 – 2.2%	0.9%	1.4×	759
11 – 12 years	C	12.3%	10.1 – 14.8%	1.3%	9.8×	759

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 9–10 years

Model	Control arms / ball joints	Vs. national
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205	12.9%	11.7×
Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)	3.8%	4.4×
Hyundai i30 II	0.4%	0.5×
Opel Astra J Sports Tourer / GTC	0.3%	0.3×

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205s of the same age.

All weak spots of the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205 · Control arms / ball joints: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205 often have control arms / ball joints problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 9–10 years the inspector found a control arms / ball joints defect on 12.9% of inspected Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205s, against about 1.1% of all cars of the same age (11.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the control arms / ball joints on a used Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205?

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

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

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