Used Mercedes C-Class (Mk5, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: an expensive but desirable exec

Verdict

The Mercedes C-Class is undoubtedly a very desirable family car, and it’s as expensive to buy as you’d expect a Mercedes to be. That, and the fact that fleet buyers are embracing electric cars more thanks to financial incentives, mean that the fifth-generation C-Class isn’t as common on the used market as you might expect. As a result there are no bargains to be had, and that’s the way things are likely to stay, as fewer ICE cars are sold. So don’t sit there waiting for C-Class values to plummet before swooping in to buy, because the chances are that they’ll drop relatively slowly.

In the automotive world there’s a whole series of constants – models that have been in production for decades as a staple of a car maker’s line-up. Various Volkswagens and BMWs started out in the seventies, while many Audi and Mercedes models have been going since the nineties. 

In the case of the latter, the C-Class was first seen in 1993 and since then it has evolved to become a seriously desirable compact executive. It continues to offer great refinement and safety, along with a user-friendly, luxurious and hi-tech cabin, although you will pay for the privilege of owning one.

History

The Mk5 C-Class hit UK roads in late 2021, in saloon and estate forms. The entry-level C 200 had a 201bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, while the C 300 featured a 254bhp 2.0-litre unit. Diesel fans could choose between the 197bhp C 220 d or the 261bhp C 300 d, both with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. All engines were available in the saloon and the estate, apart from the saloon-only C 300, with a nine-speed auto gearbox.

Used - available now

2018 Mercedes

C Class

21,793 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £15,600

View C Class

2013 Mercedes

C Class

147,000 milesAutomaticDiesel2.1L

Cash £3,495

View C Class

2019 Mercedes

C Class

46,724 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £18,800

View C Class

2015 Mercedes

C Class

110,943 milesAutomaticDiesel2.1L

Cash £9,000

View C Class

Within weeks the 308bhp C 300e plug-in hybrid had been added to the range, then at the start of 2023 the first high-performance AMG variant landed. The 402bhp C43 AMG featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, as did the 670bhp C63 AMG that arrived in summer 2023. The C63 had a 201bhp electric motor powered by a 6.1kWh battery.

On the road

None of the engines are weak (even entry-level models have a decent in-gear acceleration), refinement is good, and the adjustable chassis offers five modes to alter the suspension softness, steering weighting and throttle response.

There’s a slick automatic transmission, too, but the C-Class can’t match the engagement that the BMW 3 Series provides. This is also true if you buy one of the AMG editions – you get huge performance that’s very accessible, thanks to standard four-wheel drive, but the BMW M340i and M3 are more engaging than their respective rivals, the C43 and C63.

Which one should I buy?

Mercedes previously offered coupé and convertible options within the C-Class range; this time round there are only saloons and estates.

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At first there were Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus trims, but Sport was soon dropped. AMG Line comes with adjustable driving modes, 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, heated front seats, twin digital displays, navigation and a reversing camera. AMG Line Premium adds high-beam assist, 19-inch wheels, ambient cabin lighting, a 360-degree camera, illuminated door sills and memory settings for the door mirrors, steering column and front seats. The AMG Line Premium Plus has a panoramic opening sunroof, a head-up display and four-zone climate control.

Alternatives to the Mercedes C-Class

Like the C-Class, the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series have classy cabins and some desirable powertrains which are powerful and efficient, but they’re both expensive to buy as well as to run. They also have spacious interiors, but the BMW has the edge when it comes to driving pleasure.

If terrific driving manners are top of your wishlist, check out the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which looks great but is sold only as a saloon. The Jaguar XE also came only as a saloon, but while the back seats are a bit cramped, the cabin is smartly designed and the ride is comfier than most rivals.

We’d also shortlist the Volvo S60 saloon and V60 estate for their smart design inside and out, and excellent safety credentials. They also come with some impressive powertrains.

On the road

Towing

The C-Class is popular with caravanners because it tows with consummate ease. All saloons and estates have a limit of 1,800kg.

Electronic bugs

Mercedes isn’t immune to the software glitches that all car makers suffer from. Numerous infotainment bugs can strike, but an update often helps things.

Auto gearbox

The standard nine-speed automatic transmission can suffer from faulty solenoids, sensors and software problems, which lead to jerky gearchanges.

Hybrid engines

The C 200, C 300, C 220 d and C 300 d engines have mild-hybrid tech to boost efficiency. The C 300e is claimed to be capable of up to 68 miles of electric driving. Expect 55-60 miles in reality.

Interior

Mercedes has pulled out all the stops to ensure the C-Class beats the hi-tech interiors of cheaper rivals. The cabin is like a junior S-Class’s, such is the quality and technology that the German manufacturer has shoehorned in; the digital displays (11.9 inches for the infotainment) and switchgear look superb and work brilliantly.

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At 4,751mm long, the latest C-Class saloon is just 4mm shorter than the original (W124) E-Class. The result is loads of legroom for two adults in the back; headroom isn’t too tight, but the estate offers 30mm more than the saloon. The estate has a 490-litre boot (1,510 litres with the seats folded down), compared to the 455 litres in the saloon.

Prices

There’s a fairly even split between saloons and estates, while most C-Classes have a petrol engine; diesels are the most unusual, followed by plug-in hybrids. If you fancy one of the latter, you’ll pay a premium for it.

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Running costs

All C-Classes need a service every 12 months or 10,000 miles, alternating between Minor and Major. Whereas the former costs £450-£500 depending on model, the latter can be up to £800; the service plans generally cost over £1,000 per year to include an MoT if needed.

At launch the entry-level C 200 Sport saloon was priced at £38,785, but price hikes and model range changes soon meant that all C-Classes cost more than £40,000 new. So virtually all cars are subject to the £410 luxury car tax supplement until their sixth birthday (on top of the £190 standard road tax rate).

Recalls

A hefty 23 recalls in three years is disappointing, but 10 of them affected fewer than 10 vehicles.

The first recall, in February 2022, was to deal with gearboxes being over-filled with transmission fluid. After that came three campaigns in quick succession because of software glitches. Incorrect tyre pressure labels led to a recall in August 2022; soon after there were campaigns due to sub-standard welds in the bodyshell, and fuel leaks, along with faulty airbags, fuel pumps and brake hoses.

Chafing wiring was behind a recall in September 2022, a month before some C-Classes were recalled because of water leaks into a control unit. Other problems have included loose bolts, sub-standard fuses and faulty fuel tanks.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The last time a C-Class appeared in a Driver Power new-car survey was in 2021, when the Mk4 came 71st out of 75. Just two Mercedes models appeared in the 2024 survey; the A-Class came 31st out of 50, while the E-Class came 27th. The latter suggests where the C-Class might come, with owners awarding top-10 scores for seat comfort, ventilation and overall quality, but giving the thumbs down for value along with running costs.

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