Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) Review

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) At A Glance

3/5

+Raised driving position, lots of interior room, decent diesel engines, good ride quality on smaller wheels.

-Not good enough for the money, steering feels too artificial, problematic CVT automatic gearboxes, lacklustre petrol engines.

Insurance Groups are between 13–21
On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

75%

Real MPG

25–56 mpg

MPGs submitted

225

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

Can I fit larger wheels and tyres to my Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

"I recently purchased a 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class and would like to upgrade it. Can the wheels and tyres be upsized safely? "
There should be no issue with increasing the wheel size but you will want to try and get a lower tyre profile that matches the original wheels' overall diameter. If the overall diameter increases you are effectively 'gearing up' the car, which will decrease performance, increase fuel consumption and likely give you an incorrect speedo reading. To save time finding the right fitment of aftermarket wheel why not have a look at online auction sites to see if the AMG upgrade wheels for the B-Class are available used? Any good bodyshop will be able to powder coat the wheels to make them black.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Do I have to use a detachable towbar on my Mercedes-Benz B-Class 200 AMG Line?

"I have just bought a Mercedes-Benz B-Class 200 AMG Line and want to put a towbar on it. All the websites of fitters say that after the electrics are put on it will need recoding. Why can't they do it, does it have to go back to Mercedes for this and what is the approximate cost please? Also, they all seem to say that a detachable towbar is better as it will not affect the rear sensors. Is this important as I would prefer a non detachable towbar. "
We can't really give expert advice on this subject beyond that you've already had from the fitters, who will know the full story - we certainly can't give you a figure for what it costs either. Regarding recoding, this is to do things such as disabling the rear parking sensors and any blind spot warning, disabling the rear foglights and to have the car give you an audible warning when a caravan or trailer bulb has failed. Most fitters should be able to do this in-house and quote you on the cost as part of the whole fitment. Regarding fitting a detachable towbar, this is necessary to allow your rear parking sensors to work. Without detaching the towbar the parking sensors will need to remain disconnected.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

I'm an international student in Manchester - what will bring my insurance premium down?

"I'm a 25 years old, international full-time student in Manchester. I've been in the UK since 2013 and got my driving license in 2011. I was recently offered a 2007 Mercedes-Benz B-Class for £3800. It has 81,000 miles on the clock. I'm looking for cheap insurance to cover the car, what do you recommend?"
Your lack of driving history will work against you, so try all the different price comparison websites and then ring up individual brokers and direct insurers to see if you can get a better quote. Also, sticking an older person with more driving experience will bring the premium down, even if they never drive your car. Unfortunately, you will get hit heavily for being a student, and more so being in Manchester. If I was you, especially if it's your first car, I would look at driving something else.
Answered by Tim Kelly

Buying a used B-Class - what should I check?

"I am interested in purchasing a used 2012 petrol manual or auto Mercedes-Benz B-Class. What do I need to lookout for and what alternative would you recommend? Annual mileage around 5000 max."
I think you will be disappointed with the 'quality': http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mercedes-benz/mercedes-benz-b170-2006-road-test// and http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mercedes-benz/mercedes-benz-b220-cdi-4matic-2015-road-test// Problem areas in http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar A Toyota Verso 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S is better: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-verso-2009-road-test// and http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-verso-2013-road-test//
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) cost?