Mercedes C-Class

Mercedes C-Class With more than four and a half million used car searches so far this year, the Mercedes C-Class is the fourth most searched-for saloon on Auto Trader. It was first introduced in 1993 and since then there have been another three generations, introduced in 2000, 2007 and 2011. The first generation C-Class was arguably the last ‘over-engineered’ Mercedes, so reliability and build quality are first rate. It’s also handsomely understated and supremely comfortable – and should remain so for many years to come. Make sure you opt for an automatic gearbox – the manual gearbox is heavy and hill starts with the foot operated handbrake and a clutch are a black art. Older C-Classes are also prone to rust. The second generation C-Class launched in 2000 was a dramatic change in design for Mercedes. Gone were the boxy good looks of the previous model, and a new, E-Class-esque look was introduced. It’s comfortable, refined and is great to drive. The most common problem is to do with the electronics and software – check everything thoroughly before buying. Parts are expensive but they are readily available. In 2007, Mercedes introduced a more aggressive looking C-Class. It represented a huge step forward in refinement and build quality, although it has been the subject of a few safety recalls so remember to check the service history to make sure repairs have been carried out appropriately. The current generation C-Class was introduced earlier this year so isn’t yet available used. It’s more of a facelift than a whole new car, with the most significant changes to the front of the car, with new shape headlights, a more aggressive grille with prominent air intakes and LED daytime running lights. All versions benefit from Mercedes‘ BlueEFFICIENCY technology. The most efficient is the 170bhp 2.2-litre C220 CDi diesel engine with manual transmission, which returns 64.2mpg and 117g/km of CO2. Owner rating: 4.5/5 “My 2008 C-Class sport is a great looking car, drives superbly, is refined at all speeds (maybe a little firm on our UK potholed roads), and is reasonable on running costs (average 47mpg). I use it mainly on motorway runs and find it ticks all the boxes.”