Used Mercedes Benz cars look like a lot of car for the money. Across 15 inspections in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, the pattern was clear: 7 of 15 had an engine oil leak or low oil, and the same fault code appeared on two different 2016 models.
The 15 at a glance
| Group | Cars | What we found |
|---|---|---|
| C-Class (C200, C250, C43) | 4 | One clean, one harsh gear engagement, one oil leak with fault code, one AMG at minimum oil |
| AMG performance (CLA45 x2, CLS63S, ML63) | 4 | Oil residue, low battery charge, heat-cracked brake discs, coolant leak |
| SUVs (ML350, GLC250, G63) | 3 | Oil leak, leaking rear shock, one inspection stopped |
| A180 and E250 | 2 | Previous write-off history, heavy oil leak |
| Sprinter vans | 2 | Both good or very good at over 287,000 km |
Pattern 1: oil leaks and oil level
Seven cars had oil leaking, oil residue or a low level. They ranged from a 2013 E250 with an excessive leak to a 2021 C43 AMG at just 26,263 km with oil sitting on the minimum mark. Low oil on a nearly new performance car is a question about consumption or servicing. Ask it before you buy. More in oil level too high or low.
Pattern 2 – fault code P06DA00
This code relates to the engine oil pump control circuit. We found it on a 2016 C-Class at 165,342 km and again on a 2016 GLC250 at 127,034 km. On the GLC we cleared it and it came straight back, so it was a live fault, not history. Neither car had a warning light on the dash. Only a scan showed it.
Pattern 3 – AMG running costs show up in the brakes
A 2015 CLS63S at 54,222 km drove very well and had no fault codes. Its brake discs had significant scoring and heat cracking. On a car like this, discs and pads are a large bill. We recommended a quote before purchase.
Pattern 4 – paper history
- A 2018 A180 had a previous written-off history, with a misaligned bumper and uneven bonnet to match.
- A 2016 C250 had no service records between 2021 and 2024, and silicone sealant showing an earlier timing cover repair.
The good ones
A 2019 C200 at 18,658 km was clean, tidy and recommended. Both Sprinter vans were in good or very good condition at 287,028 km and 291,175 km, which says a lot about what regular servicing does. If you are buying a van for work, see commercial vehicle inspection.
One inspection we could not finish
A 2025 G63 with 37 km had an unexplained coating on its underside, and the seller then refused diagnostic tools. Read the G63 inspection a seller stopped.
What buyers said
One reviewer needed a same-day inspection on an ML350 a long drive from Melbourne, after other providers quoted two to three days. We made it the same day. Another simply wrote: job very well done on the AMG.
Book a European car inspection, or see the wider picture in 30 used European cars inspected.
On a Mercedes, Small Faults Come With Big Bills
Seven of the fifteen had oil leaks or low oil. Two had a live fault code with no warning light on the dash. One AMG had heat-cracked brake discs, which are a large bill on that car. On a European car, finding these before you buy is the difference between a fair price and an expensive surprise.
We scan every control module, measure paint, check the brakes and drive it properly. Then we tell you what needs fixing so you can get it quoted before you commit.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
“Thanks ray appreciate your service, job very well done on the amg”
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