Used Mercedes C-Class cars for sale

Q: Is the Mercedes C-Class a good family car?

Yes, the Mercedes C-Class makes a great family car . It’s pretty spacious inside with a comfortable ride. The spacious rear seats also mean it’s easy to fit a child seat.

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Used Mercedes C-Class pros and cons

+ Upmarket interior design

+ Comfortable to drive

+ Gets the latest technology

- Less boot capacity than alternatives

- Cheap interior materials here and there

- Touch-sensitive controls are fiddly to use

Is a used Mercedes C-Class a good car?

In the posh, small saloon car market, there are three names that come to mind, the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. You could also try the Jaguar XE if you’re feeling a little bit different.

The C-Class design has become sleeker and more swooping over the years, and now more than ever looks like a case of Honey, I Shrunk the S-Class. That’s no bad thing, because like the S-Class, the C-Class has a really classy, upmarket appearance inside and out.

While it’s not quite as luxurious as its bigger, more expensive sibling, the C-Class has a lovely interior that’s generally plush, thanks to an abundance of leather and some snazzy ambient lighting. You can find some cheaper plastics if you go looking for them, but generally speaking it’s a fancy, high-tech place to pile on miles.

And piling on miles is where the C-Class is most at home. It’s comfortable over rough roads, with the trade off being that it’s not quite as fun in corners as the BMW. But for those who spend a lot of time on the motorway it’s tough to beat.

Lower-powered engines tend to be the most popular options, because they return decent fuel economy, but you can get a C300e plug-in hybrid that’s quite pricey to buy but will be cheap to run if you can keep its battery topped up.

What to look for when buying a second hand Mercedes C-Class

The fourth-generation C-Class does not have a great reputation for reliability. One ownership survey found a third of respondents who owned a C-Class had faced issues of some kind. And there was a wide spread of problems, meaning you’ll want to check everything you can before buying.

The first thing to note is whether a car has a full service history, because this will at least show that it has been well maintained.

When viewing the car, spend some time inside checking whether the infotainment system and electronics all work correctly – this tends to be the most common complaint. Then, once on the test drive, make sure the car tracks straight and true under acceleration and braking, and there are no concerning squeaks or rattles.

One thing worth noting is that petrol-engined cars tend to be a bit more reliable than diesels.

Mercedes C-Class FAQs

Is the Mercedes C-Class front-wheel drive?

No, you can’t get the Mercedes C-Class in front-wheel drive. Most models are rear-wheel drive, though there are four-wheel drive options out there. These are called 4Matic.

How much can a Mercedes C-Class tow?

Typically, lower-powered C-Class engine can tow up to 1,600kg, with more powerful options able to tow 1,800kg.

Does the Mercedes C-Class have rear folding seats?

Yes, the Mercedes C-Class’s rear seat can fold in the 40/20/40 configuration as standard.

Is the Mercedes C-Class reliable?

No, the Mercedes C-Class is not particularly reliable. We would recommend going for a car with an extensive service history to ensure it has been well-maintained.

Is the Mercedes C-Class expensive to maintain?

Mercedes servicing and parts costs tend to be quite expensive, so this can add to your running costs.

Is the Mercedes C-Class a good family car?

Yes, the Mercedes C-Class makes a great family car. It’s pretty spacious inside with a comfortable ride. The spacious rear seats also mean it’s easy to fit a child seat.

What is the road tax on a Mercedes C-Class?

Most post-April 2017 C-Class models will face the standard annual rate of £165, with some models that were more than £40,000 when new charged £520 per year if they are in the first six years after registration.

Before this date, hybrid models will have no tax to pay, while most other engines cost £20 or £30 per year because of their low CO2 emissions. Some more powerful engines could face much higher car tax, though. For example, the C43’s tax is £290 per year.

What is the insurance on a Mercedes C-Class?

Mercedes C-Class models range from car insurance group 23 to 49, which means they will typically be a bit more expensive to insure than an equivalent Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series.

What is the difference between a Mercedes C-Class and E-Class?

There’s not a huge amount of difference between the C-Class and E-Class visually, but the E-Class is a bit bigger with a more upmarket interior. It’s also a bit more spacious inside and has a bigger boot.