Are Mercedes-Benz Reliable?

The short answer: Mercedes-Benz is usually “average” for reliability. Not terrible, not as trouble-free as
Toyota or Lexus, and usually more expensive to keep on the road than mainstream brands.

Some Mercedes models score well and run for years with few problems. Others suffer from annoying electrical issues or high repair bills. So the real story is not a simple yes or no. It sits somewhere in the middle and depends a lot on which model you buy, how old it is, and how well it has been maintained.

What the Numbers Say About Mercedes Reliability

Different organizations measure reliability in different ways, but they tell a similar story.

RepairPal: Middle of the Pack, High Costs

RepairPal gives Mercedes-Benz a reliability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, which they call “average”. They rank the brand about 27th out of 32 car brands overall. The same data shows an average annual repair and maintenance cost of about $908 for a Mercedes-Benz, higher than the
overall average of around $650.

That cost figure includes both scheduled services and unexpected repairs, and RepairPal notes roughly
0.7 repair-shop visits per year and about a 13% chance of a repair being “severe” (something big and expensive).

In simple terms: Mercedes doesn’t break constantly, but when it does, it can hurt your wallet.

Consumer Reports: Often Near the Bottom

Consumer Reports looks at owner surveys across many brands. In recent years, Mercedes has not done well in their brand-level rankings. In one set of results, Mercedes was placed last out of 24 automakers, and in
another, it came second-to-last in reliability. At the same time, brands like Lexus, Toyota and
Subaru were at or near the top.

Keep in mind, though, these are overall brand averages. Some individual Mercedes models still do
much better than the brand score suggests.

J.D. Power: Improving, With Bright Spots

J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study looks at problems in three-year-old cars. Recent studies show that
Mercedes-Benz has improved its score by more than 20 problems per 100 vehicles in one year,
which is one of the better improvements among major brands.

In some regional studies, Mercedes has even ranked top among premium brands for dependability
(for example, in J.D. Power’s Mexico dependability study, Mercedes-Benz led the premium segment).

So while some surveys show weak brand rankings, others show steady progress and strong results in certain markets and segments.

What About Specific Models?

Looking at the whole brand can hide the differences between models. Some Mercedes vehicles score clearly better than others.

Mercedes C-Class

Recent J.D. Power data gives the C-Class around 80 out of 100 for Quality & Reliability,
which they consider “average” to “good”.

Consumer Reports has also given certain C-Class years a 4 out of 5 predicted reliability rating.

In real life, that matches what many owners feel: not bulletproof like a Corolla, but pretty solid for a luxury
sedan if looked after properly.

Other Models

Reliability for other Mercedes models varies:

• E-Class: Often praised for comfort and build quality, but some years have had issues with
  infotainment and electronics.
• GLC and GLE SUVs: Popular and comfortable, though certain years have more reports of electrical
  glitches and, on air-suspension versions, suspension problems.
• Older diesels and high-performance AMG models: Can run a long time if maintained, but repairs
  are very expensive when things wear out.

Because of this variation, it is always smart to check reliability by exact model and year, not
just “Mercedes” in general.

Maintenance and Repair Costs: Where Mercedes Hurts

Reliability is not only about how often a car breaks. It is also about how painful the repair bill is
when something goes wrong.

Average Costs vs Other Brands

Independent estimates put average Mercedes-Benz repair and maintenance costs around
$900–$1,200 per year, depending on model and region. That is clearly higher than the industry
average, which sits in the mid-$600 range.

In other words, Mercedes costs are normal for a luxury brand, but high compared with regular cars.
They are roughly in line with BMW and Audi, and noticeably above brands like Toyota, Honda or Hyundai.

Why Is It So Expensive?

A few simple reasons:

• Complex technology: More electronics, sensors, and advanced features mean more parts that can fail.
• Premium parts and labor: Genuine Mercedes parts and dealer labor rates are expensive.
• Special tools and knowledge: Not every small workshop can handle modern Mercedes systems.

Some dealers mention that a typical yearly maintenance plan can run close to or above $1,000, although prepaid service plans can reduce the price per visit.

Common Problem Areas on Many Mercedes

Every car is different, but certain trouble spots show up again and again in owner reports and workshop experience.

Electronics and Infotainment

This is probably the number one complaint area on many modern Mercedes-Benz models:

• Frozen or blank screens.
• Random warning lights or error messages.
• Glitches with parking cameras and sensors.
• Bluetooth or navigation bugs.

These issues are annoying more than deadly, but they can be time-consuming and costly to track down, and sometimes need replacement of expensive modules.

Air Suspension (on Some SUVs and High-End Models)

Many higher-end Mercedes cars and SUVs use air suspension to give a smooth, adjustable ride. When it works, it feels great. When it fails, you may see:

• One corner of the car sagging after parking.
• Warning messages about suspension faults.
• Air compressors that become noisy or fail.

These repairs are rarely cheap, especially out of warranty, and they are a big reason buyers of older used
Mercedes sometimes get nervous.

Wear Items on Older Cars

As Mercedes vehicles age, they can suffer from the usual “old luxury car” problems:

• Oil leaks from gaskets and seals.
• Timing chain wear on some engines if oil changes were skipped or delayed.
• Rust on older generations, depending on climate.

A well-maintained Mercedes can handle high mileage, but skipping maintenance or using cheap parts can lead to very large bills later.

So, Are Mercedes-Benz Reliable or Not?

If you want a simple phrase, you could say:
“Mercedes-Benz is moderately reliable, with premium-brand running costs.”

That means:

• They are not the most reliable brand on the market.
• They are not the absolute worst either, especially in newer studies and some regions.
• They tend to be more expensive to fix than mainstream cars when problems appear.

If your benchmark is something like a Lexus or a Toyota, a Mercedes will almost always feel less reliable and more expensive to own. If your reference point is other German luxury brands, Mercedes will feel roughly in the same ballpark.

Tips if You’re Thinking of Buying a Mercedes

If you like the comfort, safety and image of Mercedes-Benz, you can still be happy with one. You just need to be realistic and careful.

1. Choose the Right Model and Year

• Avoid models or years known for heavy electronic issues if you can.
• Look up owner reviews and reliability scores for that exact year (for example, “2019 GLC reliability”).
• In general, simpler trims without air suspension and with smaller engines are easier to live with.

2. Check Service History

• Insist on a full, documented service history.
• Regular oil changes with the correct oil are vital.
• Avoid cars that have long gaps between services or lots of cheap, non-specialist work.

3. Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection

• Use a mechanic who knows Mercedes, not just any workshop.
• Ask them to check electronics, suspension, leaks and transmission behavior.
• Walk away if the report shows lots of warning signs – there are always other cars to choose from.

4. Budget Properly

• Plan for higher annual maintenance than a non-luxury car.
• Keeping some money aside for unexpected repairs makes ownership less stressful.
• Consider extended warranties or prepaid maintenance if the terms are fair and clear.

Final Verdict

Mercedes-Benz builds comfortable, safe and advanced cars, but that technology comes with a price.
In terms of reliability, they land in the middle: not disaster-level, not the champions either.

If your top priority is low trouble and low running costs, a simpler brand like Toyota, Lexus,
Honda or Mazda will usually make you happier. If you love the way a Mercedes looks and drives and you are ready for higher maintenance costs, a carefully chosen and well-maintained Mercedes can still be a very satisfying car to own.

If you tell me the exact model and year you’re looking at (for example, 2018 C-Class, 2021 GLC,
2017 E-Class), I can give you a more direct opinion on how reliable that specific Mercedes is likely to be.