Why is my wife's new A Class Mercedes-Benz returning fuel economy 25 per cent below the advertised figures?
I bought a new Mercedes-Benz A160 Blue Efficiency model for my wife's use a year ago. From the outset it was obvious the fuel economy was going to be nowhere near that advertised. It has been in to the dealers for two engine tests and two on-the-road fuel tests over the past few months. “Urban" consumption is within 10 per cent of the advertised figures, although poorer. This is acceptable. The "Extra Urban" figures are far worse at 25 per cent out. They quote 55mpg but I get 41mpg at best. The last road test by a Mercedes-Benz engineer confirmed this.
I know the caveats and have read the small print. The fact is that her previous car, a 2004 Honda Jazz, also bought new, gave very close to the advertised fuel figures. On the basis that the Mercedes-Benz figures are almost identical, my wife opted for the A Class. I am in correspondence with the Mercedes-Benz dealer and HQ but they are saying that there is nothing more they can do. The advertised figures are basically a guide only and not to be taken seriously. I know at least one other motoring correspondent (in Scotland) who has similar findings and wondered if anyone here has similar experiences with the A Class.
I know the caveats and have read the small print. The fact is that her previous car, a 2004 Honda Jazz, also bought new, gave very close to the advertised fuel figures. On the basis that the Mercedes-Benz figures are almost identical, my wife opted for the A Class. I am in correspondence with the Mercedes-Benz dealer and HQ but they are saying that there is nothing more they can do. The advertised figures are basically a guide only and not to be taken seriously. I know at least one other motoring correspondent (in Scotland) who has similar findings and wondered if anyone here has similar experiences with the A Class.
Asked on 28 May 2011 by CP, via email
Answered by
Honest John
This "advertised" fuel economy is the result from the EC Certification tests that bear very little resemblance to real life use (they take place on a chassis dynamometer in ambient temperatures of 20 – 30 degrees centigrade), yet are the only figures manufacturers are allowed by law to publicise.
The difference between the 2004 Jazz and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz is that over the years CO2 emissions have become increasingly important. From 2013 manufacturers will be fined for a corporate average of more than 130g/km CO2, so they have optimised their engines for the tests at the expense of real life performance. For real economy go to www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg and please use the box at the bottom of the section to input your own figures.
The difference between the 2004 Jazz and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz is that over the years CO2 emissions have become increasingly important. From 2013 manufacturers will be fined for a corporate average of more than 130g/km CO2, so they have optimised their engines for the tests at the expense of real life performance. For real economy go to www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg and please use the box at the bottom of the section to input your own figures.
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
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