Models · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 buying guide
The third C-Class, sold as a saloon from 2007 and an estate from 2008, with a facelift in 2012. It came with supercharged and direct-injection petrol engines and four-cylinder and V6 diesels, and it has a good record for reliability.
The versions
- Petrol: C180 Kompressor (156bhp), C200 Kompressor (184bhp), C230 (204bhp), C280 (231bhp), C350 (272bhp); C250 CGI 1.8 from 2009; supercharged 1.6 in the C180 from the 2012 facelift
- Diesel: C200 CDI (136bhp), C220 CDI (170bhp), C320 CDI (224bhp), with the C350 CDI replacing the C320 CDI from 2009
- Saloon from June 2007, estate from early 2008
- Six-speed manual, or a five-speed or seven-speed automatic depending on engine
- The C63 AMG has its own page
What to check on a W204 C-Class
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Clunks from the seven-speed automatic
What to look for: On the drive, let the gearbox change up and down through the gears from a standstill to cruising, and slow to a stop. Changes should be smooth. A clunk as it shifts, especially at low speed, is the thing to note.
Why it matters: On the seven-speed automatic a clunking noise is usually a faulty valve in the transmission, and left alone it can go on to damage the gearbox. A car that shifts smoothly, with a record of transmission servicing, is a good sign.
Hesitation on BlueEfficiency diesels
What to look for: On a BlueEfficiency diesel, accelerate gently and then firmly from low revs. Note any hesitation, flat spots or lumpy running, and listen at idle for uneven running.
Why it matters: Fuel injector faults on the BlueEfficiency diesels are a known cause of hesitant acceleration and uneven running. Ask whether any injectors have been replaced, and check the car has had the fuel system recall work, which covered leaking fuel filters.
Rust on the boot lid
What to look for: Open the boot and look closely along the edge of the boot lid, particularly around the release handle and number plate area. Look for bubbling paint or brown staining.
Why it matters: The boot lid edge near the release handle is the usual place rust shows on this generation. Caught early it's a local repair, and a clean boot lid is a sign of a car that's been looked after.
Also in the full guide
- Door mirrors, instruments and Comand
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the W204 C-Class
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Mercedes-Benz.