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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Reviews for Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals

Ford C-MAX

Seven seats as standard along with sliding side doors. Outstanding combination of ride and handling....

Kia Venga

Spacious back seats and wide-opening doors. Easy to drive and park. Good visibility. Decent boot capacity....

Skoda Roomster

Roomy boot and plenty of storage space. Decent handling and easy to drive with good visiblity. Well built...

Ask Honest John

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

Automatic Transmissions

"Hello again John You have helped me many times re PROPER! auto boxes on cars I have bought. Can I ask you this please? Am looking at Mercedes 1.5 B160 Automatic about 2010/11 and the review says watch out for the poor auto box but you also say it is the same as my current Ford Cmax auto which is superb! What is the situation as I have driven only autos for 30 years and so far my Cmax and my other car Scenic Auto both have nice boxes. Will I be disappointed with the Merc as it looks to have nice comfortable seats and control. Also should I go for the sport model with the larger wheel or the SE. As I am quite elderly I look for comfort as in my Scenic. Also I note the petrol is 1.5 only and I have always had 2L - but never drive very fast or very far. Thanks again John for your help Gordon"

The transmission in this A and B Class is a CVT and they can give trouble. The transmission in a C-Max 1.6TDCI automatic was a CVT. In this C-Max the engine developed more torque than the transmission was rated for which is why they had problems. Not many now left alive because the cost of fixing them is more than they are worth. Later C-Max 2.0i petrol models had 4-speed torque converter auto. The auto in the current model is a dual clutch Powershift. Your Scenic might have a torque converter auto or, if it is more recent, it might have an EDC (efficient dual clutch).

Answered by Honest John

Broken wing mirror - can I get it repaired?

"I have a 2008 Meredes-Benz B-class. The wing mirror adjuster no longer works and now the indicator is playing up. The local garage advise this is due to broken wires between the door and the mirror and that these fine wires are difficult to repair. A new mirror is £270. Is there anybody who does replacement wiring."

Yes. A local 'Car Electrical Specialist' (http://www.yell.com)

Answered by Honest John

On the inside of an Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

• Boot space is 488–1547 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior is quite versatile. The basic luggage area is rectangular. The rear seats tuck and fold 2/3:1/3. The passenger seatback folds forward onto its squab allowing transportation of objects up to 2,950mm (nine feet) long. My car had the £205 ‘Easy Vario' option of a removable passenger seat and removable rear seat cushions and backrests giving it the capacity of a small van.

For the amount of safety equipment on board it's surprising that the B-Class has not been Euro NCAP tested, though the five stars of its smaller sister, the A-Class, are reassuring.

Child seats that fit a Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

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

• Engines range from B160 BlueEfficiency to B200 Turbo
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 25–56 mpg

Seat and steering wheel are fully adjustable in all directions. The controls are all quite light, especially the steering (on Michelin Energy 205/55 R16 tyres). The manual B170 petrol comes with a 5-speed box, though most buyers will pay £1,390 extra to get the seven ratio ZF CVT Autotronic also available in the A Class and Ford Focus and C-Max 1.6 TDCIs.

That light feeling translates to the way the car handles. It's effortless, a quality much appreciated and even needed by some drivers. At low speeds the handling is viceless. Though at speed the lightness and lack of ‘feel' conspire with the shape of the body to demand constant attention, especially in crosswinds on the motorway. Ride quality is good and "speed cushions" absorbed reasonably well.

Despite only 116bhp, the optional Speedtronic cruise control works simply and is well worth the extra £205 now that many road works limits are enforced by SPECS average speed cameras. Speedtronic also includes a maximum speed limiter.

I got a very average 34.55mpg measured brim to brim over 222 miles. It's very difficult to get excited about the B-Class. The luggage capacity and practicality are definitely better than a Golf or a Focus, for example, though on a par with a Golf Plus or C-Max. The fact that, like the A-Class, you sit fairly high is a definite bonus in side-impact accidents. The fit and finish is good. Even cubbyholes are properly trimmed. But list prices are very stiff.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) Models and Specs

On sale until January 2015

On sale until April 2014

On sale until December 2011

On sale until May 2009

On sale until April 2008

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What to watch out for

Model History