Used Mercedes GLC (Mk2, 2022-date) buyer's guide: a family car with a touch of class
A full used buyer's guide on the Mercedes GLC, covering the Mk2 that's been on sale since 2022
Verdict
The Mercedes GLC is a fabulous all-round family car thanks to its blend of safety and comfort tech, practicality and refinement, performance and build quality. We wouldn’t worry too much about which trim level to pick because every GLC is very well stocked with equipment, but you do need to buy the right engine for your needs, and that’s probably one of the excellent diesels or a GLC 300e plug-in hybrid. The Coupé is less practical than the SUV, but it probably still has all of the space that you’re likely to need. Overall, as long as you don’t mind the slightly disappointing driving experience, the GLC is one family car that we can recommend very highly.
Mercedes was one of the first car companies to fully embrace the off-roader when it launched the legendary G-Wagen in 1979. These days, you could be forgiven for thinking that the car maker has become a purveyor pretty much exclusively of SUVs, such is the choice of them, big and small, within its range.
Sitting more or less in the middle of the line-up is the GLC, which arrived in Mk1 form in 2015, picking up where the GLK left off. That was a car that didn’t come to the UK, but thankfully the GLC did and it’s deservedly been a big success for Mercedes.
This multi-talented SUV is easy to recommend as a new buy, but it’s even easier to recommend on a used basis because there are so many to choose from.
History
The second-generation GLC reached UK showrooms in October 2022, with a choice of 194bhp GLC 220d and 265bhp GLC 300d diesels, or there was the 254bhp petrol-engined GLC 300. All models had mild-hybrid tech and were soon followed by a couple of plug-in hybrids: the 309bhp GLC 300e and the 328bhp GLC 300de with petrol and diesel engines respectively. All GLCs had a 2.0-litre engine, 4Matic four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
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From July 2023 the GLC was available in Coupé form; within months the 429bhp GLC 43 AMG and 671bhp GLC 63 AMG had joined the range, and within another few weeks these were also available in coupé form.
Fast forward to 2026 and the first electric GLC 400s will be delivered this summer, followed by the first GLC 53 AMGs, with a 443bhp 3.0-litre motor.
Which one should I buy?
We’d opt for the more prosaic models, because the AMG editions don’t feel special enough compared with the rest of the range, and they’re too expensive for what they offer. Whether you go for an SUV or a Coupé is down to personal preference; both offer decent practicality and values aren’t very far apart.
As for trim levels, AMG Line is the entry-level model and this has 19-inch alloy wheels, fake leather trim, an electric tailgate, ambient cabin lighting, electrically adjustable heated front seats with memory, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, and navigation.
AMG Line Premium adds digital headlights, acoustic glass, 20-inch wheels, keyless go and four extra USB-C ports. The range-topping AMG Premium Plus also has an opening panoramic glass roof, four-zone climate plus real leather.
On the road
The engines and transmissions are superb; the hybrid tech smooths things out and the nine-speed transmission provides silky-smooth gearchanges. Refinement is also excellent; on the motorway the cabin is hushed, with little in the way of wind or road noise.
Other aspects of the way the GLC drives are less impressive, with vague steering marring the experience. The other problem if you buy a GLC with big wheels (and most examples have larger alloys) is a harsh ride over broken road surfaces; the optional air suspension really improves things in this regard.
Prices
There’s plenty of choice in the classifieds. About one in five GLCs is a coupé, and there’s an even spread of plug-in petrols, diesel engines and mild-hybrid petrols; plug-in diesels are few and far between. There are also quite a few AMG editions to choose from (GLC 43 and GLC 63, from £53k and £68k respectively).
When new, the coupé carried a premium of around £7,000 over an equivalent SUV, but as a used buy there’s little difference in values because the SUV is more popular.
You can buy a used Mercedes GLC for as little as £20,000 through our Buy a Car service.
Check the price of a used Mercedes GLC with our free car valuation tool...
Alternatives to the Mercedes GLC
The Audi Q5 and BMW X3 are tough adversaries; both come in SUV and coupé forms, the latter badged as the Q5 Sportback and X4 respectively. They’re well made, packed with tech and have impressive cabins.
The Volvo XC60 is also superb and you should consider the Hyundai Santa Fe and its cousin, the Kia Sorento. The badges won’t impress but they have a huge amount to offer, including long warranties, lots of equipment and the ability to carry seven people.
Also consider the Lexus NX and Mazda CX-60, while the Jaguar F-Pace could also be worth a look; it’s dated compared with the GLC, but it’s roomy and fun to drive.
What to look for
Common problems
There has been an array of problems that have led to recalls, but separate from those, most of the issues that have affected the GLC are down to software glitches, so keeping it up to date is essential.
On the range
The plug-in hybrids have much bigger batteries than is normal. Rated at 31kWh, they’re good for a claimed 80-mile electric range, which is achievable. Charge at home and this could slash your fuel costs.
On the pull
If you’re buying to tow, you’re better off avoiding the plug-in hybrids because these are limited to 2,000kg. The GLC 300 can pull up to 2,400kg, while the GLC 220d and GLC 300d can pull up to 2,500kg.
Peace of mind
The standard warranty when new is three years with no mileage limit, but you can extend it by one or two years at a time, or even on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Interior
You'd buy a GLC for its cabin alone. Hi-tech and filled with premium materials, the Merc’s high purchase cost starts to make sense in here. The front seats are great on the longest of journeys, and there’s room for three adults in the back. Boot space is good at 620 litres, or 1,680 litres with the seats down (470/1,530 litres for plug-in hybrids).
Running costs
The service interval is two years or 20,000 miles, alternating between A and B services at £357-£422 and £486-£543 depending on model; there are no cambelts to replace. Service plans are available for cars up to 18 years old, and this spreads the cost of maintenance and MoTs over a period of one to four years.
Because all GLCs cost more than £40,000 when new, you’ll pay the £440 expensive car tax supplement, on top of the standard £200 per year for VED, until the car’s sixth birthday.
Also expect to pay plenty for insurance; rankings range from group 41 to group 50 for ‘regular’ models (SUV and Coupé), while AMG editions are in groups 46-50. Expect around 50mpg from the diesels and 35mpg from a GLC 300, while the plug-in hybrids can do well over 100mpg if you run in electric mode a lot.
Recalls
A total of 14 recalls is poor; two were issued as the first GLCs were arriving in the UK, in October 2022. That was because of airbag glitches and potentially faulty front seatbelt retractors.
There were six recalls in 2023, because of incorrectly tightened wheel bolts and brake bleed nipples, faulty fuel pumps, problematic wiring harnesses and rear side windows that weren’t bonded in correctly. Some cars also had faulty towing eyes and needed a new front subframe.
There were another three recalls in 2024, because of more fuel pump issues, faulty fuse boxes and ECU glitches. And there were three campaigns in 2025, because of faulty hybrid powertrains, rear-view camera glitches and problems with the steering couplings.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The GLC is Mercedes’ biggest-selling model globally, and it’s a big seller in the UK, but the Mk2 has never appeared in a Driver Power survey. The Mk1 did appear in the 2022 poll though, in 39th place out of 75 entries.
Mercedes has traditionally not done all that well in Driver Power, but in 2025 the GLE took pole position, while the C-Class Mk5 finished fifth, the A-Class Mk4 came 11th, and Mercedes came second in our Brands survey, so perhaps it has turned a corner.
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