Known APK problem
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204: leaks
On the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 the APK inspector finds leaks problems 70% more often than on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 9.4%, against about 5.5% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Leaks of oil, coolant or other fluids.
How to check it at the viewing
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
Ask the seller: Does the car lose oil or coolant?
By age
Share of inspected Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | C-Klasse W204 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 – 12 years | A | 0.2% | 0.0% | 6.4× |
| 11 – 12 years | C | 3.1% | 2.6% | 1.2× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 9.4% | 5.5% | 1.7× |
| 16+ years | C | 5.9% | 11.8% | 0.5× |
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 13–15 years
| Model | Leaks | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 | 9.4% | 1.7× |
| Peugeot 308 I | 14.4% | 2.6× |
| SEAT Altea | 14.0% | 2.5× |
| Toyota Auris I | 1.0% | 0.2× |
| Lexus CT 200h | 0.6% | 0.1× |
| Suzuki SX4 I | 0.5% | 0.1× |
Looking at a Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204s of the same age.
All weak spots of the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 · Leaks: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 often have leaks problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a leaks defect on 9.4% of inspected Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204s, against about 5.5% of all cars of the same age (1.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the leaks on a used Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204?
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
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