Is Mercedes reliable?
Before choosing a Mercedes for your next car, make sure it measures up for reliability and safety
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If you’re shopping for a luxury vehicle like a Mercedes, it makes sense that you’d expect it to be reliable.
Mercedes models are high-quality and well-built, with a range of options to choose from.
Mercedes cars usually come with a three-year warranty as standard when purchasing brand-new, and the premium quality means these are cars that are built to last.
Learn more about reliability and Mercedes in our guide.
What makes a vehicle reliable?
A reliable car is one that you can trust to stay in good condition and experience minimal faults through its lifetime.
Of course, all cars need regular maintenance and may need some repairs due to wear and tear from usage, but a reliable car shouldn’t need much more work outside of these normal circumstances.
Reliable vehicles should also be safe, so keep an eye out for the list of safety features and Euro NCAP safety rating. This will help you determine how secure you’ll feel while driving.
You might also want to look at the efficiency of your car to see whether it can be relied upon to make your daily journeys without using too much fuel.
Cars with impressive fuel statistics are reliable options for daily runners, but this will depend on what your priorities are.
How reliable are Mercedes cars?
Mercedes A-Class reliability
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The Mercedes A-Class is a worthy rival to small hatchbacks like the Audi A1 and BMW 1 Series.
It’s an ideal luxury choice for a smaller vehicle that’s perfect for a solo motorist, a small family, or as a flashy first car.
The A-Class ranks well for reliability, scoring points for comfort and running costs on consumer surveys.
Compared with similar models, the A-Class sits about average and would be a dependable choice for a luxury car.
In 2018, the A-Class scored a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, with an impressive 96% score for adult occupant safety and 91% for children.
Diesel models are the most efficient, with the A180d offering up to 61.5mpg on the WLTP cycle.
Mercedes C-Class reliability
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The Mercedes C-Class is a compact executive model that’s a great first step if you’re not quite ready for the S-Class, or just want something with a similar feel but on the smaller side.
The techy C-Class received a five-star Euro NCAP rating on its 2022 test, featuring safety tech like the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system that helps to regulate the car’s speed using the distance from the vehicle in front.
There are a few engines on offer, including a plug-in hybrid that can achieve up to 65 miles using purely electric power.
Diesel options are the most efficient, achieving up to 62.8mpg based on official stats.
Overall, reliability reviews paint the C-Class as a car that scores as average when it comes to reliability against its competitors.
Many drivers report minimal repair and maintenance issues across the time of ownership.
Mercedes S-Class reliability
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The Mercedes S-Class is a luxury saloon that offers tech and comfort that’s capable of rivalling almost every other car on the market.
It’s a seriously impressive model that stands up against competition like the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.
The quality and reliability of the S-Class are also impressive, but all the added tech and features mean there’s a higher chance that something could have issues.
This is the case with any car, however, and doesn’t reflect on the quality of the S Class as a whole.
While it hasn’t been crash-tested by NCAP, the S-Class features some of the most high-tech safety equipment on the market.
This includes the DISTRONIC system and PRE-SAFE Autonomous braking.
Again, diesel models are the most efficient here unless you go for the plug-in hybrid. You can expect around 45.6mpg or up to 223.2mpg, respectively.
Mercedes E-Class reliability
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The Mercedes E-Class is an executive saloon that prioritises impressive technology and a relaxing drive.
You’ll be a fan of this one if you fancy something with a real premium edge, including a plush interior.
The latest E-Class model is a high scorer for reliability, sitting in the top spots on reliability surveys and receiving positive reviews for its comfort, running costs and performance.
There’s a choice of engines, including an efficient plug-in hybrid diesel that can achieve up to 217.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle.
Although now expired, the E-Class also received a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
This includes a 95% adult occupant rating and 90% for children, with plenty of safety tech on offer.
Mercedes GLA reliability
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A luxury compact SUV, the GLA is the type of car you want if you need space and ride height but fancy all the luxury extras. It’s ideal for small families to hop on the SUV trend.
The GLA scores average when compared to its competitors and when you consider its ranking on reliability surveys.
Usually scoring in the top third, the GLA is a solidly built and dependable model.
Due to its larger size, the GLA is slightly less efficient than smaller Mercedes models, but still offers up to 53.3mpg from the diesel engines.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid on offer with a 1.3-litre engine, allowing you to do some driving using electric power alone.
The GLA also scored a full five stars on its 2019 Euro NCAP test, with an impressive 96% adult occupant score and 90% for children.
Mercedes GLC reliability
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A slightly larger SUV option, the GLC is a comfortable option that’s enjoyable to drive thanks to the range of engines on offer.
In fact, you can choose from petrol and diesel variants, as well as petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid options.
The diesel option is the most efficient choice, capable of up to 47.9mpg, while the diesel plug-in hybrid can achieve up to 44.1mpg.
When it comes to reliability, you’ll usually find the GLC sitting right in the middle of scoreboards with an average reputation for being a dependable choice.
Owners seem to report minimal faults through ownership and praise the technology and comfort.
The GLC scored five stars from Euro NCAP on its 2022 test and was awarded the ‘Euro NCAP Advanced’ badge for advanced safety technology.
Mercedes GLE reliability
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The Mercedes GLE is a large seven-seater SUV that offers luxury when you need extra room.
This model makes comfort its focus and will feel dreamy even when packed up to the brim on a long road trip.
As a larger model, fuel efficiency might be lower than usual because of the extra weight.
From the diesel engines, you can expect up to 41.5mpg. There are also petrol options, plus plug-in hybrids for both petrol and diesel.
If you’re using this large SUV for your family, the five-star Euro NCAP rating and Advanced Rewards will be pleasing. You’ll know that everyone in the car is secure and protected.
This one is also highly rated for reliability, with popular reliability reports showing minimal issues or faults from its drivers.