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MERCEDES B CLASS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,580 MOT tests from 273 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES B CLASS has the same fault.

MERCEDES B CLASS's have a very good reliability rating of 654/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES B CLASS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

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Check a Mercedes B Class before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Mercedes B Class side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2018812/999Excellent105,119 miles501 vehicles
Diesel2018754/999Very good81,180 miles2,462 vehicles
Petrol2015784/999Very good97,458 miles629 vehicles
Diesel2015733/999Very good78,700 miles3,527 vehicles
Diesel2014663/999Good84,230 miles4,846 vehicles
Petrol2014741/999Very good70,468 miles647 vehicles
Petrol2013669/999Good66,445 miles1,057 vehicles
Diesel2012633/999Good82,051 miles4,873 vehicles
Petrol2011574/999Above average72,916 miles906 vehicles
Diesel2010552/999Above average77,387 miles1,811 vehicles
Petrol2009475/999Average84,404 miles825 vehicles
Diesel2009458/999Average76,324 miles972 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES B CLASS?

Based on 3,580 MOT tests from 273 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

273

MOT tests

3,580

Pass rate

79.8%

Median mileage

82,798 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES B CLASS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 673 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES B CLASS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 538 advisory comments and 23 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 112 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 108 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 107 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 62 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 39 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 33 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

MERCEDES B CLASS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2018128182.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20171814985.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20162220685.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20152322081.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20144649583.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20133241283.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20123341382.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20111831374.1%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20101833075.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20091121674.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20081121773.7%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007816976.3%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20061124476.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES B CLASS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a MERCEDES B CLASS?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES B CLASSs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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