C-class is one of the most exquisite luxury sedans manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. The production of the first generation of C-Class began during the year 1993. It was successful in replacing its predecessor Mercedes-Benz W201.
It continued till 2000 until the 2nd was introduced with AWD transmission. After which 3rd and 4th generations were presented in the market during 2007 and 2014 respectively. C-Class has managed to stay relevant even after 28 years and is expected to stay so a while longer.
German cars are often criticized for being unreliable and high maintenance. This article is a critical analysis of Mercedes-Benz C-Class maintenance costs.
How Much Does a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cost to Purchase?
All-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class are available in 3 different trims. The starting price of the base trim is as low as $42,650. However, if you decide to purchase the top-of-the-line variant then it would cost you about $55,750. This is the manufacturer suggested retail price and is exclusive of any taxes and freight.
The exact prices for different trims of Mercedes-Benz C-Class are as per following:
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 – $42,650
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 Coupe – $48,250
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 300 Cabriolet – $55,750
In case, you are a C-Class lover, and you would not settle for any car other than that. You could save some money by opting for an older model of the car since the generation has stayed the same since 2104. You could buy the older models of C-Class for the following prices:
- 1 year old Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $31,884
- 2 years old Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $28,437
- 3 years old Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $25,247
- 4 years old Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $20,441
- 5 years old Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $18,455
*All these prices have been calculated for the base variants of C-Class.
Also read: Which Mercedes Class is the Best? (Comparison)
How Much is a C-Class Insurance?
The average cost of insurance for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class is about $1,652 per year. The insurance premium for C-Class are slightly higher compared to other models of Mercedes-Benz. But if you do the right research for choosing the insurance company, then it can save you about $500 every year.
The insurance of a C-Class will cost $138 per month for full coverage. The insurance total for 3 years will be $4,956 and for a period of 5 years, it will cost about $8,260. These prices are subject to change with the model & condition of the car, driver’s age & record, and country/state in which the car is driven.
Also read: Is Mercedes W204 Reliable? (Explained)
How Expensive are C-Class Repairs and Maintenance?
Unfortunately, the repairs and maintenance of a C-Class are quite expensive. On average, Mercedes-Benz C-Class maintenance costs about $908 for one year. This price is inclusive of scheduled maintenance and repairs of occasional breakdown. For the first year, this cost would be just $382.
Since cars require major maintenance after a period of 3 or 5 years, hence it is better to compare overall maintenance costs for these intervals. The maintenance cost of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class for 3 years is $1,366 and for 5 years this cost would come out to be $2,890.
Though, Mercedes-Benz C-Class maintenance costs are more than the Japanese brands like Lexus which costs $551, and Infiniti which costs $638 per year for maintenance. But the average maintenance costs are cheaper in comparison to other German brands like BMW and Audi.
The most common maintenance and repairs of a C-Class would cost the following:
- Oil Change – $184
- Tire Rotation – $125
- Service Check – $933
- Spark Plugs – $487
Also read: BMW vs Mercedes: (Depreciation Comparison)
What are the Most Common Problems with a C-Class?
There always has been a question mark in front of the reliability of German cars. Even the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has its fair share of problems. Most of the problems in C-Class start occurring when you have crossed the warranty limit, which is only 10,000 miles.
After 5 years of operation, there is a 15.33% chance that your Mercedes-Benz C-Class would require major maintenance. Following are the most common of those major problems:
- MAF Sensor Failure
There are hardly any German cars free from electrical defects. In C-Class, the most persistent one was the failure of the MAF sensor. The average life of a MAF sensor is 50,000 miles but in C-Class, it failed earlier than that. The cost of replacement for a faulty MAF sensor in C-Class comes to about $529.
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- Transmission Problems
Mercedes-Benz C-Class had some issues with its transmission system as well. After hitting a bump or while traveling at higher speeds, you would hear a clinking noise coming out of the transmission. Mainly, it was due to the failed transmission valve in the 7-speed automatic transmission of C-Class. It was a major repair that would cost up to $1,000.
How Much Do You Lose on C-Class Depreciation?
A brand-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will lose $5,867 on average from its initial value after each year. Once you have driven it for 3 years and 36,000 miles it would have lost $19,613 and after 5 years you will lose $29,336 on your C-Class.
If you purchase a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 2021 then it will depreciate 53% after 5 years. With an average mileage of 12,000 miles per year and a purchase price of $55,750 your C-Class would pay you approximately $27,000 in the year 2026.
The depreciation of C-Class is in line with the depreciation of other German cars of a similar segment. However, by universal standards, if you compare it to Japanese or American luxury sedans, the depreciation rate is a little higher.
Also read: 5 Serious Reasons Why Mercedes are so Expensive
Does C-Class Consume a Lot of Fuel?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class has excellent mileage, so it consumes very little fuel. It is one of the main advantages it has over its rivals. A C-Class would go as far as 44.8 miles in a single gallon. With this consumption and mileage of 15,000 miles, you would spend $1,258 on fuel every year.
These costs are calculated according to gas prices in the US and are subject to change with the change of the region. If these prices are withheld then for a 3-year period and 75,000 miles of C-Class the fuel cost would be $3,776. Similarly, for 5 years the fuel would cost $6,293.
What’s the Cost of Taxes and Other Fees?
The cost of taxes and other fees for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class is about $269 on average for one year. But the income tax or withholding tax charged while purchasing a new vehicle is way more than that during the first year. That comes to about $3,994.
After that, taxes are paid evenly over the life of the car. Again, let me remind you that there is no hard and fast tax cost of any car. Since every country has a different taxation structure. In some countries, it will cost less than $100 per year in taxes for C-Class, whereas in some countries, even $500 isn’t enough.
Also read: 3 Best Mercedes-Benz for Seniors (with Pictures)
If we follow the average tax rates, then this will bring the 3-year taxes and fees cost of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to about $4,532. Similarly, the 5-year cost of taxes will be $5,070.
In Total, How Much Does it Cost to Own a Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It is difficult to purchase a luxury car, but what’s more difficult is to keep it. The maintenance costs, fuel costs, insurance premiums, and taxes sum up to become a considerable amount. In a car like Mercedes-Benz C-Class, you would not expect ownership costs to be on the lower side.
Let us calculate how much it cost to own a Mercedes-Benz C-Class in real life:
- For 1 Month:
- Vehicle Maintenance: $32
- Insurance Cost: $138
- Fuel Cost: $105
- Tax Amount: $332 (Calculate as per your region)
- Total Cost of Ownership for 1 Month: $607
- For 1 year:
- Vehicle Maintenance: $382
- Insurance Cost: $1,652
- Fuel Cost: $1,258
- Tax Amount: $3,994 (Calculate as per your region)
- Total Cost of Ownership for 1 year: $7,286
- For 3 years:
- Vehicle Maintenance: $1,366 (It includes scheduled maintenance after 3 years as well)
- Insurance Cost: $4,956
- Fuel Cost: $3,776
- Tax Amount: $4,532 (Calculate as per your region)
- Total Cost of Ownership for 3 years: $14,630
- For 5 years:
- Vehicle Maintenance: $2,890(It includes scheduled maintenance after 5 years as well)
- Insurance Cost: $8,260
- Fuel Cost: $6,293
- Tax Amount: $5,070 (Calculate as per your region)
- Total Cost of Ownership for 5 years: $22,513
Also read: 3 Best Mercedes for Amazing Drifting
Tips on How to Save Money on Running a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
By following simple tips, you can save some real money on the running costs of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Some of those tips are:
- Purchase a 2-Year-Old Car
With more than 80% of the useful life of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class remaining, it will be the best decision to buy a two-year-old model. This will save you initial income tax that is to be paid with the brand-new car. You would also lose less money in terms of depreciation as the curve become steadier after 2 years.
- Don’t Skip Maintenance
This applies in general as well. If you feel that the car requires maintenance, then don’t skip the thought. Most of the time, a small problem can lead to a major issue. If the problem is detected at the start, it would not only save you the hassle but also save you a lot of hard-earned cash.
- Choose Insurance Plans Wisely
Some insurance plans for Mercedes-Benz C-Class might be wiser to choose than others. So, consider your options thoroughly. Full coverage costs double the liability coverage. Check whether you really need full coverage or liability coverage would be enough for you. This way you can save some money.
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