Buying a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014-2020)

‘Compact’ Mercedes-Benz models have been running on Australian roads since 1968 and made significant contributions to the brand’s success in this country.

The desirability of Mercedes’ 'economy' models went close to foundering during the 1980s and ’90s when exchange rates sent the cost of imports to loony levels and manufacturers’ responses were often to strip almost everything out of their entry-level models and list desirable items as options.

By 2014, when the W205-series Mercedes-Benz C-Class appeared in Australia, value for money was back on the agenda.

So was prolific choice, with the W205 range commencing just above $60,000 and then soaring beyond $150,000 for those funding a 375kW Mercedes-AMG C 63 sedan.

In this review we won’t be looking at the entire range, concentrating instead on versions that attract buyers of more modest means.

The W205 was an entirely new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, built using a greater proportion of weight-saving materials and around Benz’s new modular rear-wheel drive platform, which added strength while also slashing weight.

C 200 buyers initially were able to choose between 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engines, with sedan or station wagon (Estate) bodywork. BlueTEC versions were exclusively available with diesel engines.

Climb the ladder to a Mercedes-Benz C 250 and the output grew by 15kW over the 2.0T sedan’s 135kW. That’s unless you specify the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in a C 250 sedan, because then it would deliver 155kW.

Diesel engine size in Mercedes-Benz C 250 BlueTEC models (later renamed C 250d) was initially 2.1 litres, with 150kW of power and a massive 500Nm of torque coming on stream from 1600rpm.

Manual transmission was available in some markets – Mercedes-Benz for decades has been a major supplier to the taxi industry – but all Australian-market C-Class models came initially with a seven-speed automatic.

Styling cues that separated the W205 generation from its long-serving predecessor included new style lines to lengthen the car’s appearance, a deeper grille and more aggressive shape to the air dam. New headlight and tail-light clusters helped significantly to modernise the look of the C-Class from any angle.

Basic equipment began with integrated air-conditioning and Artico synthetic leather seat coverings – genuine leather was an option – plus four-way electric seat adjustment, a somewhat intrusive dash-mounted display screen and leather-rim steering wheel with almost the same number of controls attached to it as the dash.

Among the driver aids that came standard across the W205 series were parking sensors, a reversing camera and Active Parking Assist.

Then came the options, many of which buyers of used W205 cars will find have been specified by the original owner.

A Vision Package added $3500 to the initial cost and included a panoramic sunroof, self-actuating LED headlights and head-up display of vital functions.

The basic wheel/tyre package on a C 200 was 18-inch alloys with 225/45 rubber providing lots of grip and sufficient sidewall compliance to deal with urban bumps. For extra outlay you could choose a set of 19-inch rims.

A 2018 update brought new headlight and tail-light designs, with the standard illumination via LEDs and Multibeam as an option.

From inside, the view for drivers and passengers was brightened by some extra embellishments, improved ventilation and an even greater range of driver alerts.

There were new engines as well, including a 1.5-litre diesel and uprated petrol units, all of them turbocharged and producing up to 180kW. The 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission which had been available in some models since 2016 was made standard from 2018.

Continuing after its 2016 inclusion in the range was the C 350e hybrid which supplemented its 155kW turbo-petrol engine with a 60kW electric motor.

You might never climb out of a four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz C-Class after driving a challenging road and say, “Wow, let’s go back and do that again”, but that isn’t the intended purpose of lower-end models.

That kind of reaction is the province of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 and other potent members of the Mercedes-Benz family, while the C 200 and C 250 models comfortably transport and protect their occupants in the everyday world.

The suspension is quiet, competent and well suited to Australia’s second-rate regional roads. With five links at the rear and lightweight components, the W205 body moves minimally over bumps and undulations. Layers of insulation allied to effective damping restrict transmission of road shocks and noise through to occupants.

The first seven-speed automatic in a production car at the time, the 7G-TRONIC PLUS remains super-smooth even when used harshly. Sport mode gives drivers more control under changing conditions, but you still need to be good when trying to improve on the 7G’s electronic mastery.

Turbo-petrol engines respond well to a prodded throttle, with very little lag present. There is somewhat more lag from the diesels.

However, the best way to elicit instant response is to flick the transmission shifter back a couple of notches while burying your foot in the floor covering.

Owning a Mercedes-Benz might seem an indulgence, however for the cost of a new medium-sized SUV, a used-market Mercedes-Benz C-Class delivers immense benefits in primary and secondary safety.

Mercedes-Benz pioneered anti-lock braking for passenger cars, and the brakes are typically marvellous, with the C 200 in closed-road tests able to stop five metres shorter than a Jaguar of similar size.

The steering is well weighted and delivers good road feel. That in some measure is due to quality tyres, so make sure when buying used that a previous owner hasn’t compromised the chassis engineers’ good work by slapping on some sub-standard rubber.

Protection should a crash become unavoidable is immensely impressive. Many vehicles score a five-star ANCAP rating for occupant protection but very few can survive a 64km/h barrier test with no visible effect on the passenger area. Nor do they score a near-perfect 36.46 (from a possible 37 points) under ANCAP evaluation.

Interior space is excellent for a car of this size, the rear seat is comfy and can be partially folded to accommodate longish objects.

If you occasionally need to use your family transport as a load carrier, then consider the C 250 wagon. These are still stylish and not significantly more expensive than the sedans.

Fuel economy, even when giving the petrol versions some pedal, is reasonable. Again, we need to remember that these are solidly constructed, very well-equipped cars with an appropriate weight penalty and running relatively small engines.

On average, 9.0L/100km is possible from 2.0-litre petrol cars, with the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel making an open-road best of 5.2L/100km and averaging 6.4L/100km.

• It is sad and surprising to discover a long list of quality and component deficiencies that affect various models in the W205 series. Some defects are safety-related and have triggered factory recall programs. Before getting too involved in purchasing a particular car, contact Mercedes-Benz or a franchised dealer to check that all issues relevant to that model have been sorted.

• Electronic glitches feature in owner reports of problems with W205 cars. Prior to setting off on a test drive, ask the vendor to run through the display screen functions. Also test air-con performance in various modes and adjust both seats. When on the move, ensure that the cruise control operates as it should.

• Squealing brakes allied to premature pad wear is a commonly reported problem. A professional inspection will identify problems like this, but best to stick with cars that don’t have the issue in the first place or come with recently replaced brakes.

Used vehicle grading for Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 2014-20
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 18/20
Practicality: 13/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 14/20
Score: 72/100

Also consider: Lexus IS (2005-2012), Jaguar X-TYPE, BMW 3 Series (2011-2015)