10 Best Mercedes Cars Under $10k (Good Condition)

I love Mercedes-Benz cars, because of their luxury style even though they are more than 10 years old.

If you are like me, a Mercedes-Benz fan, read this article because I will reveal the 10 best Mercedes-Benz models under $10.000 that you can buy right now.

Let’s get started!

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Years: 2007-2014
Popular Engines: 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 7A (201 HP), 3.0L 6cyl 7A (228 HP), 3.5L 6cyl 7A (248 HP)
Expected Mileage: 95.000 miles
Prices from: $7.500

One of the best choices when it comes to Mercedes-Benz under $10.000 is C-Class. It’s not as luxurious as S-Class or E-Class, but the quality of the interior and exterior is superior. You can buy Mercedes-Benz C-Class with an automatic transmission, mostly with gas engines accelerating from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds (3.5L 6cyl 7A). Most versions of C-Class come with white or black leather seats. If you’re lucky, you can find a C-Class from 2012 in good condition with low mileage for less than $10.000.

Is buying a Mercedes with a high mileage worth it? Find it out here.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Years: 2002-2009
Popular Engines: 3.5L 6cyl 7A (268 HP), 3.2L 6cyl 5A (221 HP), 3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A (208 HP)
Expected Mileage: 115.000 miles
Prices from: $5.000

The E-class W210 that you can see in the photo is easily available for under $7.000. I’ve seen lots of newer W211 that look way better under $10.000, which is a great deal. With 10 grand, you can buy E-Class from 2007/2008. Mercedes-Benz offers gas as well as powerful diesel engines. E-Class is equipped with keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and many more.

Mercedes-Benz CLS

Years: 2004-2010
Popular Engines: 5.5L 8cyl 7A (382 HP), 5.0L 8cyl 7A (302 HP), 4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A (407 HP)
Expected Mileage: 120.000 miles
Prices from: $9.000

Even though this Mercedes-Benz CLS is more than 10 years old, it still looks quite modern. But appearance isn’t the only advantage of this model. In most versions, you can find great engines with more than 300 horsepower. However, it’s definitely not the best car for a family, because it’s not the most spacious car and it has only 4 seats. If you like to listen to good quality music, CLS has everything you need- Surround Sound 7.1.

Read it: Is it Worth to Buy Car in December? Is January Better?

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Years: 2004-2011
Popular Engines: 3.5L 6cyl 6M (287 HP), 3.0L 6cyl 6M (230 HP), 3.2L 6cyl 6M (215 HP)
Expected Mileage: 90.000 miles
Prices from: $8.000

If you want to flash out a bit, Mercedes-Benz SLK will be the best option for you. It is among the few Mercedes-Benz models that come with a convertible hardtop. It’s perfect for couples because it has only two seats. Even though SLK doesn’t have any powerful engines, it’s still dynamic because of its low weight. For $10.000, you should aim for an SLK from 2006 or 2007.

Mercedes are expensive even though they are old. But why? Well, here’s the answer.

Mercedes-Benz ML

Years: 2005-2011
Popular Engines: 3.5L 6cyl 7A (268 HP), 3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A (210 HP)
Expected Mileage: 100.000 miles
Prices from: $8.000

If you’re looking for something bigger yet powerful, consider Mercedes-Benz ML. In 2005, it was pure luxury, and it’s safe to say that right now, it still is. Bluetooth connection, all-wheel drive, power lift gate, turn signal indicating mirrors and a few other gadgets that back then and right now are not available in many cars. In your budget, you should look for MLs older than 2008, but with some luck, you can find a model with less than 80.000 miles.

Mercedes-Benz GL

Years: 2006-2012
Popular Engines: 4.7L 8cyl 7A (335 HP), 5.5L 8cyl 7A (382 HP), 3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A (210 HP)
Expected Mileage: 130.000 miles
Prices from: $8.000

Want something bigger than ML? No problem! How about GL? Yes, it usually has more substantial mileage, for example, 150.000 miles, and is in worse condition, but there are lots of exceptions. GL has all-wheel drive and is perfect for a bigger family because it contains 7 seats. With a memory driver seat, navigation, and brake assist, it’s a comfortable and safe car. If you want to buy a GL, look for 2006 or 2007, and pray for low mileage.

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Years: 1998-2007
Popular Engines: 5.5L 8cyl 7A (382 HP), 5.0L 8cyl 5A (302 HP)
Expected Mileage: 120.00 miles
Prices from: $8.500

I bet you might have driven comfortable sedans, but I’m sure they weren’t even close to Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It’s one of the most luxurious car series ever made. Even though the S-Class that you can see in the photo is pretty old, it’s still a powerful, comfortable, and good-looking car. For less than $10.000, you can’t buy anything better when it comes to comfort and quality. S-Class is a big sedan with rear parking aid, xenon headlights, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and premium brand Harman/Kardon speakers. On the market, you can easily find models from 2007, but usually with over 100.000 miles.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Years: 2006-2012
Popular Engines: 3.5L 6cyl 7A (268 HP), 3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A (240 HP), 5.0L 8cyl 7A (302 HP)
Expected Mileage: 115.000 miles
Prices from: $7.000

R-Class wasn’t the most successful car made by Mercedes-Benz, but because of that, right now, you can buy this car for relatively cheap. For example, you can buy a 2008 model for $8.500. Maybe this car doesn’t look fast, but in reality, it is. Its least powerful engine has 268 horsepower, but you can find 5.0L 8cyl 7A with 302 horsepower. In addition, it has all-wheel drive. R-Class has 6 seats, and it is a car for people who like to travel with family. It looks good from the inside and has leather seats.

Also read: Is Mercedes W210 Reliable? (Important Facts)

Mercedes-Benz CLK

Years: 1999-2009
Popular Engines: 3.5L 6cyl 7A (268 HP), 3.2L 6cyl 5A (215 HP), 4.3L 8cyl 5A (275 HP)
Expected Mileage: 110.000 miles
Prices from: $6.000

CLK-Class is another amazing car made by Mercedes-Benz. It’s not so popular, because it’s not for everyone. It has only 4 seats, and it might be too small for some people. But there are also some versions with a convertible soft top. CLK has halogen front fog lamps and a premium sound system from BOSE. It has a great price-quality ratio because you can buy it for even less than $7.000. But if you want a CLK with lower mileage, aim for at least $9.000.

Mercedes-Benz SL

Years: 1994-2008
Popular engines: 5.0L 8cyl 5A (302 HP), 5.5L 8cyl 7A (382 HP),
Expected mileage: 120.000 miles
Prices from: $6.000

SL is a car for real connoisseurs. It’s pretty old, and I would consider it a collector’s car. It has 2 seats, automatic climate control, an alarm, and a few other gadgets that you wouldn’t expect from a car that’s almost 30 years old.

Is it Hard to Find a Mercedes Under $10.000 with Low Mileage?

Let’s say a low mileage in the case of Mercedes-Benz is 120.000 miles. To find out if it’s hard to find a Mercedes-Benz with low mileage, I decided to visit the most popular websites with cars for sale.

I found out that about 60% Mercedes-Benz cars under $10.000 have less than 120.000 miles.

We should also consider that some Mercedes-Benz owners reverse the mileage of their cars, so I think it’s safe to say that about 40-50% of Mercedes-Benz cars have less than 120.000 miles.

Are Mercedes Under $10.000 Reliable?

Most Mercedes-Benz cars under $10.000 are reliable. The most reliable are C-Class from 2007 and E-Class from 2006. However, a lot depends on their previous owners and how they were maintaining their cars.

Overall, Mercedes-Benz is among the 8 most reliable car brands. Some people think that Mercedes-Benz isn’t reliable, because of the myth that Mercedes-Benz were having lots of failures in the 90s. However, after the year 2000, Mercedes started making way more reliable cars.

If you buy a Mercedes-Benz from 2002-2008 for less than $10.000, you should be happy, because they don’t have lots of failures. However, there are exceptions, so if you want to increase your chances of being a reliable Mercedes, you should look for low mileage and the previous owner who took good care of his car and maintained it properly.

If you buy a wrong Mercedes-Benz, one of the most popular problems are:

Rust

Steering gear leaks

Air suspension failures

Electronics problems

But as I said before, Mercedes-Benz are generally reliable, so with a little bit of luck and knowledge, you should buy the right car.

Is Mercedes Expensive to Maintain?

Let’s talk about money now. I will take an average Mercedes-Benz and calculate how much your car will cost you in the perspective of 5 years.

Purchase Price: $10.000

Depreciation: $2.000

Insurance: $1000×5= $5000

Repairs and service: $2.000

Fuel: $9.000

An average Mercedes-Benz in 5 years will cost you about $18.000, which is $3.600 per year and $300 per month.