Mercedes are premium models that attract premium prices. They combine a high level of precision engineering, luxury, and performance. But what about the cost of maintenance? Aren’t they on the spendy side?
Mercedes car maintenance is expensive; its maintenance cost is only second to that of BMW. Further research shows Mercedes owners spent an average of $908 on car repairs and maintenance costs, well above the industry average of $652.
In this post, you’ll get a taste of what it’s like to maintain a Mercedes vehicle and learn an intelligent way to control its repair costs.
Why Is Mercedes Maintenance Expensive?
Mercedes is known for innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology. The result is quality cars. And because many Mercedes cars and components are manufactured abroad, shipping and import taxes add to costs.
It is also not uncommon for big brands to charge higher prices for parts and services because they are renowned brands. In many instances, their customers expect to pay higher prices for maintenance. Years of clever Mercedes marketing positions Mercedes as a luxury brand, and after all, we know if we want the best, we got to pay for it. Right?
And so, extra costs are passed on to Mercedes owners through pricier parts and services. But there are ways to lower your Mercedes maintenance costs – Oh yes, it’s called “The manufacturer’s prepaid plan.”
How Mercedes Prepaid Plan Works
This plan covers your car maintenance cost up to 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. The prepaid plan provider’s claim is one of the best warranty deals for its Mercedes car owners. You can save up to 30% on the maintenance cost in this plan.
But don’t take their word for it. You might want to compare it with other providers. Most auto dealers have been known to hike their charges on claims of high-quality maintenance services, which is not always true.
What Does General Mercedes Maintenance Cost?
Mercedes are engineered for durability. But like all cars, they still need maintenance, and routine maintenance is essential. This will keep your Star in top-notch condition and lower the cost of repairs in the longer run. Plus, who wouldn’t want to keep their investment in pristine condition?
Your Mercedes will require its first service once it clocks 20,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. This is called service A. Here you can expect standard service, which may include the following:
- Oil change
- Filter changes
- Brake component inspections
- Fluid level checks
- Tire inflation checks
- Reset maintenance counter
The next type of service is service B. Your car will require this service once it hits 40,000 miles. The service includes all those checks in service A and others, such as the following:
- Brake fluid exchange
- Cabin dust/combination filter replacement
- Select models, like the CLA and GLA AMG models, will require an engine air filter replacement as well
Both these services are more or less basic maintenance checks that are by no means exhaustive. Your car will need more demanding maintenance as it clocks up the miles. For example, it may need new spark plugs every 30,000 miles and coolant changing once every two years.
Remember that the maintenance cost depends on your car model, too. In general, you should expect the cost of the “C class” model to be lower than the “S class” model.
Below are typical Mercedes services and their costs.
| Maintenance Service | Mercedes C300 (2018) | Mercedes S560 (2018) |
| Oil and filter change (Cabin & Air) | $380 | $481 |
| Tire rotation | $130 | $130 |
| Air filter replacement | $176 | $176 |
| Cabin air filter replacement | $157 | $284 |
| Brake fluid replacement | $149 | $149 |
| Cooling System Flush | $263 | $263 |
What Are Common Mercedes Repairs?
As your Star ages, parts will gradually wear out, and she’ll need some love. Below are the common Mercedes repairs and their estimated costs.
| Common Repair | Estimated repair cost |
| Heater Blower Motor Replacement for SLK55AMG | $1118 |
| Air Conditioning not working E63AMG (inspection) | $158 |
| Radiator hose replacement for S550E | $693 |
| AC Compressor Replacement for SL550 | $2391 |
Mercedes Models Maintenance Costs
As said, different Mercedes models have different maintenance schedules. Be sure to read your owner’s manual or inquire from your nearest Mercedes to plan accordingly. Remember failure to follow these schedules may nullify your warranty. But also, it is in the best interest of your car’s durability to service it on time; it really does pay off.
| Mercedes Model | Annual repair cost (average over 10 years) |
| C350 | $578 |
| E350 | $627 |
| GLC | $1440 |
| GLS | $1572 |
| S550 | $735 |
Models on the lower end of the price spectrum, such as C350, average $578 in annual repair costs. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. On the upper end is GLC, whose cost is $1440. As expected, the pricier models have higher maintenance and repair requirements. Not only are the parts more costly, but the labor is too. Performance models are more complex, and technicians need more time to nail the repairs.
Mercedes Benz Maintenance Cost Compared To Other Brands
| Brand | Annual repair cost (averaged across all models) |
| Lexus | $778 |
| Chrysler | $1136 |
| Infiniti | $1180 |
| Mercedes | $1598 |
| BMW | $1931 |
| Audi | $1322 |
So how are the Mercedes car’s annual repair bills compared to other brands? The data shows the cost is only lower than that of BMW. However, the repair bill tips the scale compared to brands like Lexus from Toyota.
There are other intervening factors to the lower maintenance cost of these models. But Toyota models have a higher backup of parts and labor availability than Mercedes. That may partly explain the much lower cost of maintenance.
Check out the Amazon link below, which gives you a feel for the current prices of standard Mercedes parts and accessories.
Amazon Mercedes PartsBuying a Warranty – Smart Way To Control Mercedes Repair Costs
Your Mercedes will eventually exhaust its original manufacturer’s warranty. Now you’re on your own if you like. This is a point in your Mercedes life where heavier maintenance lies ahead and possibly expensive breakdowns too. Depending on the particular model you drive, some repair costs will make your eyes water.
That’s not to say you should get rid of your Mercedes as soon as the warranty is up. No, not at all. Here is the solution. Mercedes offer extended warranties; granted, they won’t help with routine maintenance bills, but they will save you a ton when a major mechanical breakdown happens. Plus, you can maintain a more predictable budget.
Mercedes extended warranty
With a Mercedes warranty, your vehicle gets extended bumper-to-bumper coverage of up to 3 years and 100,000 miles. Remember you have to buy this warranty before the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires to maintain its validity. However, this type of warranty is usually more expensive.
Benefits include:
- Roadside assistance
- Trip interruption reimbursement
- Rental car service
Third-party extended warranty
Many third-party companies offer breakdown warranty covers. Their benefits include the flexibility to buy at any time, compared to the dealer one, where you must buy before the expiry of the original factory warranty. Some companies even offer zero deductible, meaning your repair contribution can significantly reduce.
Benefits are
- Cheaper than factory warranties
- Flexible payment period
- Longer-term duration
Conclusion
“A car with a star for the man from Castlebar,” that’s what a local politician said when his office asked what type of ministerial car he wanted. Yep, nothing says you’ve made it like a Merc, but that comes with a higher sticker price, higher maintenance, and depreciation costs. So if you want to own a Merc, you’ll need to wear your big girl panties, if you know what I mean!
Before pulling the lever on a Merc or any vehicle, it’s always worth investing just a few dollars to check the VIN number against the vehicle database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and many other pitfalls.
About the Author
John Cunningham is a Red Seal Qualified automotive technician with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. When he’s not writing about car repair, you’ll find him in his happy place – restoring classic cars.
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- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write fluff-free articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.