Used car tests

Used Mercedes EQB (Mk1, 2021-2026) buyer’s guide: pricey when new, great value now

A full used buyer's guide on the Mercedes EQB that was on sale in the UK between 2021 and 2026

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2 Nov 2026

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Verdict

The original Mercedes EQB is already history because an all-new model - now called the GLB Electric - was unveiled a few months ago, but that doesn’t stop the first-generation car from being a great used buy. As with so many electric cars, high costs when new could make the EQB hard to justify, but it was very impressive nonetheless. Now that values have dropped by as much as 60 per cent it’s a lot easier to find this ultra-usable Mercedes very appealing. With its cutting-edge tech and versatile interior, space for five adults and two children, and a really good range if you opt for the front-wheel-drive 250+ edition, the EQB is an EV that is easy to live with.

Mercedes was one of the first car makers to embrace the SUV, with the G-Wagen. That was in 1979, and since then the company has introduced a stream of such models, including a raft of big-selling road-biased SUVs.

These days, there’s a suite of combustion-engined options, from the compact GLA to the luxurious GLS, and in most instances there’s an electric edition. In the early phase, electric Mercedes models donned the ‘EQ’ prefix, and so it was with this EQB – an electric version of the surprisingly compact GLB.

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Earlier this year, a brand-new GLB was revealed, and with it a next-gen electric replacement that has now left behind the EQ badging and is simply called the GLB Electric.

History

The EQB went on sale in November 2021, priced from £52,145. There were 219bhp EQB 300 4Matic and 288bhp EQB 350 4Matic versions, both with four-wheel drive. All EQBs came with seven seats as standard (there were five-seat versions in other markets), and both models were fitted with a 66.5kWh battery with a maximum charge rate of 100kW.

Things ticked over until January 2024, when an updated EQB was unveiled. This introduced a new grille and some minor updates for the dashboard and switchgear, but more importantly there was also a new entry-level model, priced from £52,800. The EQB 250+ featured a 70.5kWh battery and front-wheel drive to give a range of up to 321 miles; the EQB 300 and EQB 350 stuck with their smaller batteries.

Which one should I buy?

There's an even split between the three powertrains, all of which are desirable. The 250 has the longest range, the 300 has more performance and the security of four-wheel drive, while the 350 is the ultimate version, with more performance (0-62mph in 6.2 seconds) than you’re likely to need.

All EQBs are well equipped, with the entry-level AMG Line model having high-beam assist, a powered tailgate, cruise control, LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, and navigation. To this AMG Line Premium adds an electrically operated panoramic glass roof, 19-inch wheels, keyless go, wireless phone charging and an upgraded 10-speaker hi-fi.

Standard kit on the range-topping AMG Line Premium Plus includes electrically adjustable suspension with speed-sensitive power steering, 20-inch wheels, electrically adjustable front seats with memory, a 360-degree camera, a head-up display and a 12-speaker Burmester system.

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Prices

Cheapest examples of the EQB are 350 AMG Line editions on a 22-plate, with around 65,000 miles on the clock. The entry-level EQB 250+ didn’t come along until 2024, so prices are slightly higher for this model at the moment.

You can buy a used Mercedes EQB for less than £20,000 through our Buy a Car service.

Check the price of a used Mercedes EQB with our free car valuation tool...

On the road

The EQB isn’t a huge car, but it is a heavy one. The EQB 250+ is the lightest variant at 2,105kg, and the other two versions weigh 60kg more, so they’re not exactly fun to hustle down a twisty road.

No surprises there, and you also won’t be shocked to discover that it’s when cruising that the EQB comes into its own. Refinement is excellent, even at motorway speeds, while ride comfort is very good, but the driving experience feels somewhat detached, with little in the way of steering feedback. Performance is good though, with decent acceleration available once on the move.

Alternatives to the Mercedes EQB

There aren’t many premium seven-seat EVs, but one of the best is the Kia EV9, which is filled with tech and supremely practical. The Tesla Model X impresses in many ways, but build quality can be an issue, while the VW ID. Buzz looks great and is incredibly usable, but tech glitches have marred the owner experience for some.

If it’s lots of space you’re after, rather than a premium badge, the Peugeot e-Traveller and its cousin, the Citroen e-Berlingo, might suit, and if you’re happy with just five seats you should consider the Audi Q4 e-tron, Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4 along with the Skoda Enyaq, Polestar 2, Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW iX1 and Mercedes EQA.

What to look for

Roll with it

A few owners have experienced creaking and rattling sounds when going over speed bumps and potholes. It’s the anti-roll-bar links wearing in the front suspension and they should be fixed under warranty.

On the pull

There’s great news if you’re buying an EQB to tow, because the 250+ can pull up to 1,400kg. The EQB 300 and 350 are even more accomplished with their 4Matic four-wheel-drive set-up; they’re restricted to 1,700kg.

Peace of mind

All EQBs came with a warranty that lasted for three years with no mileage limit. The battery pack has its own guarantee that lasts for eight years or 100,000 miles; so far the batteries are lasting very well.

On the range

Mercedes claimed that the EQB 300 and 350 can do 242-253 miles on a charge, whereas the EQB 250+ can do 290-321 miles. In the real world expect a range of 160-220 and 220-255 miles.

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Interior

The Merc’s high cost when new starts to make sense when you see the hi-tech dashboard and funky cabin, which feels suitably premium. All EQBs have three rows of seats, but the third is cramped; otherwise there’s ample space for five adults. In five-seat mode the boot can stow 495 litres; fold the middle row and this jumps to 1,710 litres.

Running costs

The maintenance interval for all EQBs is every two years or 20,000 miles, with services alternating between Minor and Major. The former is priced at £230, whereas the latter costs £284 (second service), £323 (fourth) and £453 (sixth). The cost of the Major service includes fresh brake fluid every two years. All dealers offer service plans for EQBs aged up to 18 years old; these spread the cost of scheduled maintenance and MoTs over a period of between one and four years.

All EQBs are subject to the £440 road tax expensive car supplement until their sixth birthday (so road tax is £640 per year until then, when it drops to £200 at current rates). Insurance groups are 43-44 for the EQB 250+, 46 for the EQB 300 and 47-50 for the EQB 350.

Recalls

The EQB has been recalled four times so far, although only one campaign has affected more than a handful of cars. The first recall was issued in March 2022, because the brake calipers weren’t properly retained on a few cars made up to November 2021. Faulty B-pillar trim led to recall number two, in April 2023; again just a few cars were included in the campaign.

The big one came in May 2024, when almost 8,000 EQBs were recalled because of software glitches that could lead to the steering failing on cars built between November 2021 and January 2024. The most recent recall was issued in April 2025, but it was aimed at just three EQBs made in September and October 2023. A software fault in these could lead to a battery fire.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

There were no Mercedes in the 2026 Driver Power survey results, but there were three models in 2025. The GLE Mk4 came first, the C-Class Mk5 finished fifth and the A-Class Mk4 was 11th, so not a bad set of results at all.

Sadly, however, they’re not representative of Mercedes in general; in 2024 the best result was 27th for the C-Class Mk5, while things were even worse in 2023, when the highest-scoring model was the A-Class premium hatchback, in 39th spot.

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