How Long Do Mercedes' Last? What To Know About Lifespan
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When many people think of luxury vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is perhaps one of the first brands that comes to mind. Mercedes built its fame selling high-end sedans, convertibles, and roadsters. Today, the carmaker sells sedans, wagons, sports cars, SUVs, and even electric vehicles. While it’s a recognizable brand around the world, how long do Mercedes last?
There’s a lot that can go into the lifespan of a vehicle. Driving habits, maintenance schedules, owner care, weather, and quality of the brand. Mercedes is one of the most well-known premium brands on the market and the vehicles in the current and former lineup will deliver a wonderful driving experience, but the brand isn’t specifically recognized for its durability. Mercedes currently has 30 consumer vehicles and another 14 for commercial purposes.
According to customer surveys, Mercedes vehicles have an average dependability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, according to Repair Pal. Mercedes are designed to be quick, powerful, attractive, and sophisticated, but on average they are not as dependable as other manufacturers. Even though most of its vehicles have excellent driving characteristics, the brand favors a balanced ride and handling above pure quickness. Mercedes’ elaborate interiors and intricate technology might be what distinguishes most from competitors, but does that impact longevity?
How long do Mercedes last? Used vehicles
When looking at a used vehicle, price, mileage, and vehicle history are likely to be top of mind for buyers. Mercedes with over 10 years of usage may have between 75,000 and 100,000 miles on it, and can naturally be a red flag for a car buyer, especially with the price that some models can go for. Quality, brand recognition, and craftsmanship all cost money, and used Mercedes can still cost as much as some new sedans, even with lots of miles on them.
Without severe mechanical concerns, even older Mercedes can provide good service above the 250,000-mile range. The fact that most Mercedes have large six-cylinder engines helps with durability. Smaller four-cylinder engines are used by Mercedes but are typically only sold in European markets. Smaller engines can wear out more easily than their six-cylinder counterparts because they have to work a bit harder.
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How long do Mercedes last? Interiors
Like many other luxury vehicles, Mercedes vehicles are often styled with Napa leather materials, and may also be used on the steering wheel and gear knob. This is considered the highest end of leather, so the trim should last through multiple owners and appear as good as new if properly cared for. Only Mercedes with significant mileage will start to have a sagging driver’s seat bolster and worn interior accessories.
Even though Mercedes engines are top-of-the-line, their usage of cutting-edge technology might produce difficulties with their vehicles over time. So, if you’re in the market, do your homework—and consider leasing before purchasing.
How long do Mercedes last? Repair costs
According to Repair Pal, Mercedes models have an average yearly repair cost of $908. In comparison, all active brands average a repair cost of $652, which includes both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Higher vehicle repair cost does not always imply that it is less dependable, considering parts and labor for a Mercedes will be higher than a domestic sedan.
By calculating the average number of planned or unplanned visits per year, Mercedes vehicles on average will need to visit a repair facility about 0.7 times per year. Across all brands, this is higher than the 0.4 annual average. Lifespan may not directly be linked to annual visits to repair shops, but if you have an older Mercedes that you’re driving, you’ll likely need more visits than average.
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How long do Mercedes last? Recalls from 2022 that could affect lifespan
Every vehicle will go through occasional recalls, and most will be out of an abundance of caution without the worry of being life-threatening to drivers or passengers. However, some will need immediate attention to prevent further issues. Recalls are a good indication of their quality and potential issues drivers may face.
Backup camera recall
More than 137,000 cars have been recalled due to backup camera failures, which are likely caused by software issues that prevent drivers from seeing their rearview. The initial upgrade to the camera software didn’t fix the picture defects, however, Mercedes has also received no instances of backup camera failures causing collisions, injuries, or property damage. When using the reverse, the display turns dark or stays on the current picture, indicating that there is an issue. COVID-19 and supply chain issues haven’t helped, but it is concerning for drivers for a 3+ year-long recall that still causes issues for almost every vehicle in the lineup.
Heated steering wheel and sensor failure
The issue is again caused by a software fault, with an error in the hand detecting control unit, as with many previous recalls. When employing the Active Distance Assist, the hands-off detection may not be able to tell when the driver’s hands are removed from the steering wheel. If a driver does not get a warning message to grip the steering wheel, the car will continue to drive without triggering the Active Emergency Stop Assist. In addition to not stopping, the car will not make an emergency call and will provide no advance notice of a problem to the driver.
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Coolant pump failure
Over 800,000 models are at risk of fire due to coolant pump leakage. Although components for recall repairs are presently unavailable, owners should be advised that coolant pump issues might cause fires. This is a significant issue, and the vehicles with this recall should be driven with extreme caution and usage restricted to the absolute minimum to avoid potential fire during an accident.
How can you improve the lifespan of your Mercedes?
- Stick to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule
- Drive smoothly and with controlled acceleration and braking
- Check oil and other fluid levels routinely
- Make use of manufacture sponsored repairs
- Check your tire pressure regularly
- Keep the vehicle covered whenever possible
- Wash the vehicle regularly, especially in climates routinely exposed to the elements
- Do not put too much weight on your car
It’s not a perfect brand and things are bound to happen, but the quality of Mercedes is at the top of the industry and should give consumers confidence for a long vehicle life regardless if it’s new or used.
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