Home › Cars › Models › Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Cars · Mercedes-Benz
Should I keep my Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Keeping an 8-year-old (2018) Mercedes-Benz C-Class at typical mileage costs about $6,847 a year: $1,129 in value it loses, $1,624 insurance, $2,196 fuel, $1,799 maintenance and repairs and $100 registration.
By model year
What a Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs to keep, by year
Next 12 months for a paid-off car at 12,000 miles a year, average insurance costs, $3.30 gas. Click a year to run your own numbers in Keep or Switch.
| Year | Value today | Cost to keep next year | Value lost | Maintenance and repairs | Efficiency | Repair complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $24,971 | $8,127 | $3,067 | $995 | 23 MPG | About average |
| 2022 | $21,247 | $7,517 | $2,550 | $1,049 | 24 MPG | About average |
| 2021 | $18,136 | $7,571 | $2,061 | $1,462 | 22 MPG | About average |
| 2020 | $15,593 | $7,142 | $1,599 | $1,541 | 22 MPG | About average |
| 2019 | $13,574 | $7,199 | $1,551 | $1,689 | 22 MPG | About average |
| 2018 | $11,662 | $6,847 | $1,129 | $1,799 | 22 MPG | About average |
| 2017 | $10,218 | $6,873 | $1,095 | $1,990 | 23 MPG | About average |
| 2016 | $8,849 | $6,752 | $885 | $2,199 | 24 MPG | More than average |
| 2015 | $7,725 | $6,857 | $773 | $2,359 | 23 MPG | More than average |
| 2014 | $6,744 | $6,653 | $674 | $2,236 | 23 MPG | Fewer than average |
| 2013 | $5,888 | $6,721 | $589 | $2,416 | 23 MPG | Fewer than average |
| 2012 | $5,140 | $6,861 | $514 | $2,607 | 22 MPG | Fewer than average |
| 2011 | $4,487 | $7,194 | $449 | $2,810 | 20 MPG | Fewer than average |
| 2010 | $3,917 | $7,374 | $392 | $3,069 | 20 MPG | About average |
| 2009 | $3,420 | $7,627 | $342 | $3,393 | 20 MPG | About average |
Should you keep it?
Keeping vs replacing your Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Cheapest year to keep: 2014, at about $6,653 a year.
- Most repair-heavy complaints: 2016, based on NHTSA owner complaints about the engine, transmission, electrical and fuel systems compared with similar cars that year.
- Fewest repair-heavy complaints: 2014.
- Older isn't always cheaper: value lost shrinks as a car ages, but maintenance and repairs grow, from $995 a year for a 2023 to $3,393 for a 2009.
A paid-off car is usually the cheapest car you can drive, even with repairs: a replacement starts losing value the day you buy it and comes with tax, fees and often a loan. Switching tends to pay only when repairs get large and frequent, or a much more efficient car cuts fuel costs enough. Keep or Switch compares your Mercedes-Benz C-Class against any replacement, including the costs of switching.
Questions
Common questions
How much does it cost to own a Mercedes-Benz C-Class per year?
For a 2018 model at typical mileage, about $6,847 a year in value lost, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and registration, not counting any loan. Years in the table range from $6,653 to $8,127.
Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class years have the most problems?
In NHTSA owner complaint data, 2016 drew the most repair-heavy complaints relative to similar cars. Complaints are voluntary and busier models draw more of them, so treat this as a weak signal.
More models
Other sedans and hatchbacks
Audi A4BMW 3 SeriesChevrolet Bolt EVChevrolet MalibuFord FocusFord FusionHonda AccordHonda Accord HybridHonda CivicHonda HR-VHyundai ElantraHyundai Sonata