Buying a used Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015-2021)

SUVs similar in style to the Mercedes-Benz GLC had existed since 2006 but aged quickly as Audi, BMW and others brought superior designs to market.

The preceding GLK was upright and austere, with overtones of Benz’s G 500 bush basher while sitting on a C-Class platform.

Due to the siting of a driveshaft down the right-hand side of the engine bay, the GLK could not be sold in right-hand drive markets and Australia didn’t see it.

No such errors occurred when designing the Mercedes-Benz GLC that launched in Australia in 2015. It also used C-Class underpinnings but was lighter, more attractive and practical.

Most in our market sold as a five-door SUV but there was a coupe-like alternative with a sloping rear roofline that arrived a year later and shared its engines and virtually everything else with the wagon.

Those engine choices comprised 2.0-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel units with turbochargers. The turbo-petrol delivered a useful 155kW while the turbo-diesel offered 400Nm of torque at just above idling speed.

A minor restyle was introduced in 2019, bringing a reshaped bonnet and front mud guards, new air intakes, lighting clusters and a reshaped rear bumper.

A new 2.0-litre petrol engine was paired with a hybrid generator that delivered extra torque and also eliminated the need for a separate starter motor.

New turbo-diesel engines with up to 180kW and 500Nm were added to the local range, and right at the top, with a price tag exceeding $165,000, was a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8-powered Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S.

• Front bodywork, driveshafts and other underbody components can be damaged by careless off-road use.
• Limited choice of run-flat tyres, expensive replacements and rapid tyre wear.
• Premature wear of brake pads and rotors.
• Note any shuddering or knocking noises from the front suspension when turning.
• Leaks in air suspension system.
• Infotainment system glitches.
• Oil leaks in oil pan gasket.
• Reduced performance in turbocharged engines.
• Engine noise caused by timing chain tensioner/engine components.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC came in SUV and coupe form, with obvious differences in styling, dynamics and space utilisation. Comments and data contained in this review will in general apply to the wagon-style version.

These were launched into Australia during December 2015 and available in three quite similar formats. Two had turbo-diesel engines, one a turbo-petrol and the price band was a narrow $64,500 to $69,990 (plus on-road costs).

A year later, almost to the day, a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 joined the line-up. It was priced above $100,000 but did come with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, special interior and 21-inch wheels.

Looking back to the basic range, the GLC commenced with a 125kW turbo-diesel designated 220d. Like all GLCs, this version came with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC sports transmission.

Even at their most basic level, GLCs were well finished, with grippy seats and faux leather trim. The dash was logical and involving even if it did go a bit mad with the retro-look switchgear and chromed vents. The steering wheel also packed sufficient functions onto its spokes to keep diligent owners occupied for a week.

Other standard fittings included heated and electrically adjustable front seats, blind spot and park distance sensors, forward collision warning, 360-degree and reversing cameras plus a large multi-function screen.

The 19-inch wheels carried 235mm run-flat tyres – no spare required unless you really shredded one – and the option of stepping up to the 20-inch and even 21-inch alloys found on dearer versions. Tyres on low-end diesels were a meaty 55 profile, making these the preferred rubber for running on unsealed terrain.

Enhancing the ride and allowing drivers some influence in this area was Mercedes-Benz’s Agility Control system. For an additional $3500 it provided five driving modes – each progressively more sporting but delivering less of a cushion through the pants seat. Super-quick Direct Steer was included too, spinning the wheel from lock to lock in just two revolutions.

For owners who wanted to risk their GLC in the rough stuff there was also a $3990 Off-Road Pack, with higher-profile tyres and five electronically activated ‘Terrain Settings’. Special metallic paint that could be scraped against the undergrowth was available too, at an extraordinary $2990.

Replacing the turbo-diesel with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol added $3400 to the buyer’s initial outlay but delivered a 30kW power increase. Also in the mix were 20-inch wheels with 45-profile rubber, genuine leather trim, automatic headlight dipping and woodgrain interior embellishments.

Ignoring the influence of the options list, the most expensive mainstream GLC was the 250d. Its turbo-diesel engine was no larger than the one in the 220d but more advanced, with 150kW of power and a hefty 500Nm of torque.

Way beyond the 250d and really in a different realm was the GLC 43 AMG. This wasn’t, as the badge might suggest, a full-on 4.3-litre AMG V8 powerhouse, but still a potent package with its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 and 270kW.

The AWD drivetrain was the same as in lower-spec GLCs but with paddle shifters controlling the nine-speed transmission. AMG 43s really weren’t meant to play in the dirt though, with 21-inch wheels with 40-profile front and 35-profile rear tyres.

By 2018 the range had grown to include a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 designated GLC 350d, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that went by the title of Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S and a new entry-level GLC 200 with 135kW from its version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine.

The newcomer, while costing a reduced $61,990 plus ORCs, still offered cushy faux leather inside, the Parking Pilot 360-degree camera, a power tailgate and 7.0-inch touch-screen among its list of features.

In 2020 there was a minor restyle, but not until the second-generation GLC arrives during 2023 will there be any serious alterations to the mid-size luxury SUV.

As mentioned earlier, the Mercedes-Benz GLC in all its forms, and especially when kitted out by AMG, is highly desirable but requires buyers to be cautious.

Before going shopping for a GLC, check price guides such as RedBook. These will display a value range for cars in typical condition and that have travelled average kilometres (around 15,000km per year). They cannot factor in the options that perhaps will increase a vehicle’s value or ultra-low distance travelled.

Where a car is priced above the guide maximum, consider whether there are attributes that make it notably superior to others. Also consider whether those attributes will still be relevant when you come to sell or trade the vehicle.

With all of that in mind, a GLC in any form provides plenty of equipment and driver enjoyment in a package that is compact without being cramped.

A four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine will do the business for most GLC buyers. They deliver similar performance to each other but the diesel offers better economy. The major reason most people will still prefer the petrol version though is that they don’t like the smell of the diesel pump or the oil-burner’s slightly elevated noise levels.

If you’re a holiday/getaway kind of buyer who likes heading for the lake with a jet-ski behind or into some not too rugged bushland, then take a look at a GLC 350 V6. It delivers 190kW of power plus a hill-crushing 620Nm of torque and although it legally tows only the same 2000kg as other GLC diesels, they do it much more easily.

Going off-road on any of the GLC’s rims is going to rattle your wrists and make you fear what kind of expensive damage that rut you just hit might have caused, so be circumspect about the places you might head on holiday. When buying, that’s also reason for thorough checking of the vehicle.

Average fuel consumption from a 3.0-litre is claimed to be 6.3L/100km, and even when towing the 66-litre tank should see you travel up to 600km between refills. The smaller diesel is said to deliver 5.4-5.9L/100km.

Safety features and driver information systems are equal to anything in the market. Even without using all the cameras and sensors the GLC is easy to position on the road, but with them you have a very decent chance of being warned of impending danger and being able to avoid it.

Replacement tyres without the originals’ run-flat attributes will save money and improve ride quality but changing does mean the risk of being stranded by a puncture or needing to find space in the cargo area for a spare wheel.

If you don’t mind envious glances at school pick-up or when loading bags of potting mix, then the Mercedes-Benz GLC is a pretty fine family ride.

Access through the any door or powered hatch is easy, and even when the seats are up there is lots of space behind.

Those occupying the rear seat can access entertainment ports or links, and also get blasted with warm or cool air via big vents in the back of the console.

• A handful of 2018-19-build GLCs were involved in a recall to replace defective seat belt components which may not latch properly; check service history to ensure this has been rectified.
• A noise and shuddering when on full lock are a commonly reported problem and attributed to various causes. Most likely seems to be conflict between the AWD system and run-flat tyres with their rigid sidewalls. Running excessively high pressures amplifies the issue. Before visiting the dealer, try letting some air out of the tyres to see if it is effective.
• Front brake squealing affected early versions but should not manifest once the brake pads and rotors on offending cars have been replaced.
• Check for underbody damage due to previous owners going off-road while forgetting how close to the ground these cars sit.
• Check service history and nature of repairs carried out during ownership.
• Check infotainment is not glitching by connecting your phone and playing music.
• Raise/lower vehicle to check if air suspension is working evenly.
• Check for abnormal noises on road test.
• Check for any stain marks in engine covers.

RedBook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015-21)
Design & Function: 16/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 11/20
Wow Factor:14/20
Score: 72/100

Also consider: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Land Rover Discovery Sport