Car Buying

Are Mercedes Cars Reliable?

Mercedes-Benz represents a luxury giant among foreign automotive brands, but are Mercedes cars reliable? Read on to find out more about Mercedes’ reliability.

Read time

9 minutes

Date

01.18.2024

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Key takeaways

  • Mercedes-Benz balances advanced technology with luxury. It's recognized for high-quality materials and powerful engines, though not as reliable as more affordable brands like Toyota or Honda.
  • Mercedes vehicles have strong safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Models like the E-Class and GLE-Class earn top safety marks, contributing to the brand's dependability reputation.
  • Owning a Mercedes can be costly, with average annual repair costs around $908. Models like the A-Class and CLS have high five-year ownership costs, typical for luxury cars.

The history of Mercedes-Benz begins with innovation, a dash of dare-devil, and the determination to pave the way for future generations. Karl Benz’s Motorwagen in 1886 imprinted the brand into the history books, but his wife, Bertha, took the car for its first long-distance drive. 


The company gained enormous ground as the 20th century waxed and waned, and today, Mercedes-Benz sources its inventive spirit once more to approach electrification and autonomy. While Mercedes-Benz may not always be the most reliable brand in the stable, it’s undoubtedly a forerunner in developing the automotive industry. 


Are you ready to experience all that Mercedes has to offer but need to know which model best fits your lifestyle? A FINN car subscription allows you to test-drive multiple models at your leisure, with an inclusive monthly subscription fee and no hidden fees. FINN also offers an extensive fleet of vehicles to choose from to gain further perspective on this iconic German brand. 

Are Mercedes-Benz good cars?

Mercedes-Benz cars uphold a particular reputation among luxury brands, one that balances cutting-edge technology with high-quality materials and powerful engines. More affordable brands, such as Toyota and Honda, rank higher in their reliability ratings, but there’s no mistaking the value and status of a Mercedes. Like any vehicle, a new or used Mercedes-Benz is good if you care for it well. 

How car reliability is measured

Reliability often summarizes how a vehicle performs in several arenas. In addition, perfect scores aren’t required to gain a reliable reputation among consumers. Potential buyers often look for cars that perform well based on the features they prioritize, so a jack-of-all-trades model usually fares better than a model that dominates in one area. 

Below are the areas in which you can evaluate Mercedes-Benz’s reliability

  • J.D. Power dependability rewards 
  • FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings
  • Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  • Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
  • Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year Cost to Own


As a luxury brand, Mercedes may follow industry trends in its performance in safety and fuel efficiency ratings, average repair costs, dependability, and cost of ownership. Read on to learn more about how Mercedes stacks up to the competition in these areas. 

5 factors contributing to Mercedes’ reliability

You can use the same resources below to determine the reliability of practically any brand. For example, determining Volkswagen versus Tesla reliability requires reviewing how each brand performs in the following areas. 

1. Cost of ownership

KBB awarded the following Mercedes cars for low cost of ownership over five years: 

  • 2022 Mercedes A-ClassSecond in entry-level luxury car, at $51,440 annually 
  • 2023 Mercedes CLS: Fourth in high-end luxury cars and $96,862 to own for five years
  • 2023 Mercedes AMG CLA: Fourth in luxury sports car ($65,531)
  • 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class: Fourth in luxury high performance car at $101,395 yearly 
  • 2024 Mercedes GLSFourth in luxury full-size SUV/crossover at $104,634 annually


Owning a Mercedes can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on your chosen model. 

2. Average repair costs

While it ranks 27th out of 32 car brands, Mercedes-Benz did receive a three out of five rating from RepairPal. The luxury brand costs $908 yearly on average to repair. Visits to the shop number 0.7 annually and have a 13% probability of being severe. Mercedes also has 441 known recalls, the most common of which is the emergency call system transmitting the incorrect location in an emergency. 

3. Safety features and ratings

The NHTSA and IIHS award Mercedes with top marks on the following models: 

  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (five-out-of-five-star overall safety rating) 
  • 2023 Mercedes-BenzGLE-Class (four-out-of-five-star overall safety rating) 
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class (four-out-of-five-star overall safety rating) 
  • 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (“Good” in all categories and a 2023 Top Safety Pick+)
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (“Good” in all categories and 2022 Top Safety Pick+)
  • 2024 Mercedes-BenzGLE-Class (“Good” in all categories and 2023 Top Safety Pick+)


Rest assured, your Mercedes car can keep you safe in an accident. 

4. Dependability

J.D. Power awarded the 2022 Mercedes EQS for best performance in the large premium car segment. The 2022 Mercedes GLA also won for best performance as a small premium SUV. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA also won for the most dependable small premium SUV in 2021. 

5. Fuel efficiency 

Despite their robust power plants and rapid acceleration, Mercedes-Benz cars perform respectably well in terms of how many miles a gallon of gas lasts you: 

  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300From 16 city and 24 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG) to 25 city and 36 highway MPG
  • 2023 Mercedes-BenzEQSRanges from 79 city and 74 highway MPG equivalent (MPGe) to 101 city and 105 highway MPGe
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA25024 city and 34 highway MPG at its best 
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA250: 20 city and 28 highway MPG to 25 city and 36 highway MPG


Considering many of these power plants are turbocharged engines, it’s fair to say that you can affordably fuel a Mercedes and still have fun driving it.

What are common Mercedes problems?

Luxury vehicles tend to be more temperamental than most. Below are common Mercedes-Benz problems you may or may not encounter during ownership. 

1. Oil leaks

Several sources cited Mercedes-Benz owners who reported oil leaks from their engines. These leaks can stem from a poorly sealed drain plug or point to a more significant underlying issue. A lack of oil in the engine can quickly lead to premature failure if left unchecked. 

2. Engine troubles

Mercedes customers have reported that several internal engine components can prematurely fail. RepairPal lists the camshaft adjuster solenoid failure, crankshaft position sensor failure, and no start due to the inability to recognize the keys as engine-related problems. Misfires can happen, and the engine mounts can also erode over time.

3. Premature timing chain wear

Timing chains outlast timing belts but are still prone to wear. Mercedes owners have reported premature wear among several models. Timing chains are critical to engine health, as wear can influence how the engine performs, and loss of timing can cause catastrophic failure. 

4. Air suspension issues

Although Mercedes prides itself on a comfortable ride, the air suspension responsible for providing it can often experience issues. Owners have reported failures from the early 2000s on. Repairs can range from replacing the shock absorber tubings to paying for a new air compressor. That’s German for quite a hefty repair bill. 

Most reliable Mercedes-Benz models

The same thread of luxury runs through all Mercedes-Benz models. However, the following variants represent the most reliable vehicles among the Mercedes lineup. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

This class of sedans ranks as one of the more reliable variants in the Mercedes stable. These luxury sedans earn high safety ratings and cost less than the brand overall annually to repair. RepairPal estimates the cost of repairs to be around $788, with 0.6 visits to the shop every year. Highly ranked years include 2008, 2009, and 2012. 

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Technically classified as a midsize sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C-class lineup handles well and boasts the standard suite of safety features the brand is known for. Models from the early 2000s are sought after, in addition to those from 2012 to 2015 and 2019 to 2021. 

Mercedes-Benz GLA

The smaller of Mercedes’ SUVs, the GLA brings a sense of luxury to the compact SUV world. Models from 2014 to 2020 rank high in reliability. If you’re looking for an entry-level luxury SUV to test-drive, the GLA gives you a sneak peek of what the larger Mercedes SUVs offer.  

Are Mercedes expensive to maintain?

Mercedes cars cost $908 on average annually to repair, which can make you wonder how leasing a car works or if you can pay your car payment with a credit card. However, Mercedes ranks among luxury brands as having an average ownership cost, given the features it offers. While the 13% severity of repairs may seem high, it’s only 12% for all car brands

So, are Mercedes cars reliable?

Mercedes vehicles are about as reliable as the next car, especially among luxury brands. Compared to affordable imports, Mercedes loses out to simplicity. However, it outranks many brands (foreign and domestic) in style, power, and prestige. 

Are Mercedes reliable FAQs

Mercedes may not always be the most reliable choice among all car brands, but it certainly upholds a reputation for luxury and style. Read on to learn more about Mercedes car reliability. 

Yes, Mercedes-Benz offers warranty coverage for its vehicles. The basic warranty extends for four years or 50,000 miles. Plug-in hybrid models come with a six-year/62,000-mile high voltage battery limited warranty. The German brand also offers several other emissions-related warranties that last from a few years to up to 150,000 miles. 

Mercedes cars can be long-lasting if you take care of them. Spending extra to care for your new Mercedes-Benz can help increase its longevity and protect your investment for years. 

Comparing BMW to Mercedes represents a German rivalry like none other. BMWs tend to take the sporty route in putting power to the ground, but Mercedes is no slouch either. If you’re looking for sophistication and luxurious creature comforts, Mercedes wins out every time. 

Mercedes-Benz ranks about average among luxury brands in terms of cost of ownership. Spending nearly $1,000 annually on repairs may seem like a budget-breaking repair bill, but it's to be expected considering the German engineering evident in almost every aspect of these vehicles. Luxury brands like Lexus, Audi, and Cadillac may cost less in annual repairs, but Land Rover costs $1,174 on average to repair. 

Are Mercedes Reliable

Final thoughts

Mercedes holds its own among luxury brands regarding reliability, albeit with a knack for sacrificing a few points for innovation and advancement. Besides style and sumptuous interior appointments, Mercedes scores average in cost of ownership among luxury brands, fuel efficiency, average repair costs, dependability, and safety ratings. Taking the plunge to purchase a Mercedes may have your pocketbook sweating, but sit behind the wheel for a few miles, and you’ll surely gain perspective. 


FINN offers a suite of Mercedes cars ready to deliver straight to your door. Your FINN car subscription comes with an affordable monthly fee that includes insurance, registration, depreciation, and maintenance. You can also choose from flexible terms for mileage and subscription length. Drive one of many Mercedes-Benzes in FINN’s fleet to experience this German luxury brand in its element.