Skip advert
Advertisement

Used Mercedes C-Class (Mk4, 2014-2021) - What should you look for?

The Mk4 Mercedes C-Class has had its fair share of issues, with owners often reporting reliability problems

In its final year being featured as a car available to buy new, the Mercedes C-Class Mk4 wasn’t exactly a standard-setter in our 2021 Driver Power survey. The C-Class was ranked 71st out of 75 cars, and owners said they weren’t impressed with the build quality or reliability. Keep a look out for the issues below when you’re looking around used examples.

Common used Mercedes-Class Mk4 problems

Brakes

Advertisement - Article continues below

The brakes on the Mercedes C-Class Mk4 can squeal, in particular the ones on the front wheels, and this can be difficult to rectify.

Wind noise

Poorly fitting doors and seals can result in an excessive amount of wind noise entering the cabin.

Audio

Many Mercedes C-Class Mk4 owners say the standard-fit stereo isn’t punchy enough. Even the upgraded sound system has suffered from this issue.

Trim

The artificial leather MB-Tex seat upholstery can discolour and appear stained.

Recalls

The Mercedes C-Class Mk4 has suffered 20 recalls to date, covering a variety of faults and defects. These include a leaking AdBlue filler pipe on diesel models, loss of power assistance for the steering, oil and fuel leaks and the engines running the risk of stalling. Other issues the fourth-gen Mercedes C-Class has been recalled for include seatbelts failing to function properly and airbags failing to go off in the event of an accident, and a loss of control when driving due to the steering column working free.

 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Mercedes C Class

Mercedes C Class

RRP £32,830Used from £11,994
BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

RRP £33,315Avg. savings £7,720 off RRP*Used from £11,495
Audi A5

Audi A5

RRP £42,660Avg. savings £5,302 off RRP*Used from £18,083
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,581 off RRP*Used from £11,577
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

EV charging gets 10% cheaper and there’s more to come
Rapid charging Fiat 500

EV charging gets 10% cheaper and there’s more to come

Ultra-rapid chargers in December were five pence cheaper than they were in November for off-peak users, with a cut in VAT also on the cards
News
22 Jan 2026
Volvo EX60 2026 preview: extra large range and power for Volvo's medium SUV
Volvo EX60 - front

Volvo EX60 2026 preview: extra large range and power for Volvo's medium SUV

The new all-electric Volvo EX60 has some seriously impressive specs, and prices start from £56,360
News
21 Jan 2026
Volvo XC40, XC60 and XC90 SUVs will all get a revamp as brand hedges bets with hybrid
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Volvo XC40, XC60 and XC90 SUVs will all get a revamp as brand hedges bets with hybrid

The pragmatic decision will see Volvo building hybrids for as long as customers ask for them
News
22 Jan 2026