2015–2023 · 9 model years · 120 recalls
Avoid the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2022 and 2023.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $11,363 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $7,394 over 5 years. 14 recalls, 411 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $9,957 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $6,491 over 5 years. 14 recalls, 312 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $9,631 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $6,263 over 5 years. 17 recalls, 247 owner complaints.
Below average for its class. Expected repairs: $7,131 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $4,467 over 5 years. 19 recalls, 114 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $3,668 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,675 over 5 years. 9 recalls, 26 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $3,745 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,751 over 5 years. 10 recalls, 25 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| W205 | 2015–2021 | 22/100 | Below average |
| W206 | 2022–2023 | 66/100 | Above average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 C-Class | 65/100 · Above average | 25 | 10 | 29 |
| 2022 C-Class | 68/100 · Above average | 26 | 9 | 29 |
| 2021 C-Class | 51/100 · About average | 15 | 7 | 27 |
| 2020 C-Class | 42/100 · About average | 45 | 12 | 28 |
| 2019 C-Class | 31/100 · Below average | 77 | 18 | 27 |
| 2018 C-Class | 21/100 · Below average | 114 | 19 | 27 |
| 2017 C-Class | 5/100 · Well below average | 247 | 17 | 28 |
| 2016 C-Class | 4/100 · Well below average | 312 | 14 | 28 |
| 2015 C-Class | 2/100 · Well below average | 411 | 14 | 28 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2022 and 2023.
The 2022 scores best for reliability (68/100) of the years we rate.
The 2018, with 19 recalls on record with NHTSA.