Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 – 2021) Review

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 – 2021) At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Unlike its key rivals, this generation of Mercedes C-Class puts comfort ahead of outright sporting ability in the way it drives.

+Much improved interior quality. More refined and better to drive than predecessor. Strong 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines on facelifted cars.

-C220 CDI with automatic gearbox is disappointing. Surprising quality issues with pre-facelift models.

Insurance Groups are between 24–49
On average it achieves 66% of the official MPG figure

This generation of Mercedes C-Class was arguably even more desirable than rivals including the Audi A4, dynamically polished BMW 3 Series and stylish Jaguar XE. As well as sleek looks that echoed the Mercedes S-Class, the Mercedes C-Class was based on a new platform with more interior space than the previous model, especially for rear seat passengers. Read on for our full Mercedes C-Class review.

The Mercedes C-Class got a totally new layout in this 2014 generation, with a minimalist design dominated by a large one-piece centre console. Not only is it very stylish, but it feels every inch the premium car it should be.

Mercedes likened the cabin as ‘akin to the uplifting feeling of being upgraded from economy to business class on an aeroplane’ and we certainly can’t argue with that.

Where the Mercedes C-Class really shines as a used buy is in terms of refinement and comfort: it’s incredibly quiet and cossetting on the move, with a superb ride.

Even AMG Line models with sports suspension and larger alloys are impressively comfortable. At motorway speeds, the Mercedes C-Class is a joy with barely any wind or road noise. This makes it an ideal long-distance car.

Not that this comes at the expense of handling. The Mercedes C-Class had a new steering system, which offers much better feel than previously, along with more weight.

Add this to a six-speed manual gearbox and the Mercedes C-Class was a revelation compared with its predecessor, helped by good body control and impressive agility.

Finally, the Mercedes C-Class was the premium saloon it had always promised to be and the famous three-pointed star had a car good enough in all departments to rival the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

It was also well equipped as standard with all cars coming with DAB, Artico leather, a reversing camera, collision prevention assist and a media interface.

Read our review of the latest Mercedes C-Class here.

Ask Honest John

Do assured Mercedes ex-rentals make good buys?

"I am 73 and considering buying a used Mercedes C Class estate as the car that will 'see me out'. I am prepared to pay a premium for what I hope will be a degree of assurance on its longevity and I'm not really concerned about the retained value in due course. I am attracted to the idea of an ex-rental because it will have been serviced to schedule, has probably racked up its miles on motorways and they seem priced seductively. My journeys are mostly local but with monthly 300mile round trips to visit grandchildren etc. Am I daft? If not, what should I look out for? "
There are positives and negatives to buying an ex-rental car. As you say, rental cars are usually serviced regularly and are more likely to longer journeys than frequent short trips. On the downside, there is no accounting for the kind of abuse it might have been subjected to, although this is arguably less likely for a more expensive rental such as a Mercedes. It comes down to how well it compares in terms of pricing and specification compared to equivalent vehicles that are being sold privately or by a dealer. As long as the history is assured and it is priced competitively, it would be a sound choice.
Answered by David Ross

Can I replace standard tyres with runflats?

"My wife's 2014 Mercedes C-Class Estate has non-runflats from factory (225/17/50). I would like to fit Michelin Crossclimate + ZP runflats, starting with 2 rear wheels then two fronts. Can I retro-fit runflats to this car? I'm happy for the ride to be stiffer in exchange for additional safety."
Run flat tyres can only be fitted to alloy wheels that are designed to accept them, so unless your C-Class was originally specified with run flat tyres it is unlikely the wheels will be able to be fitted. Later generations of Mercedes-Benz C-Class were available with run flat tyres as an option, so you would need to change the wheels to the correct type before fitting run flats. We would also recommended fitting four run flats at the same time, as mixing regular tyres with run flats could cause unpredictable handling characteristics.
Answered by David Ross

Is it worth spending £6000 to repair my nine-year-old Mercedes-Benz?

"My 2014 Mercedes C220 Estate, mileage 95k, needs a partial engine rebuild which is estimated at £6k. Is it worth doing?"
When carrying out repair work on an older vehicle it is important to balance the cost of maintenance and repairs against its current value. We would estimate the value of your car at present (in full working order) is around £12,000 to £14,000, so although £6000 is a significant amount it is around 50% or less of the car's value. However, you may wish to sell the car as it is, although if it is not in full working order its value will be somewhat less.
Answered by David Ross

Is my Mercedes Euro 5a or Euro 5b?

"Is my July 2012 Mercedes C220 AMG sport stop/start diesel a Euro 5a or Euro 5b? My local Mercedes dealer (in Ayr) where quite rude when asked and no help at all. Euro 5b diesels are legal to use in low emission zones so this an important question."
Euro 5 regulations for diesel cars were staggered, which is why there is a Euro 5a and Euro 5b. Euro 5a was introduced in 2009 and Euro 5b in 2011, so given that your car was registered in 2015 it should be Euro 5b. However, we would always recommend checking the government website before driving into any low emission zones, which you can do here: https://www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones
Answered by David Ross
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2014 – 2021) cost?