10 Cheap Mercedes

Jul 23, 2023

Older Mercedes-Benz and AMG models for sale are plummeting in price, but do the high maintenance costs make for a worthy trade-off?

Is there a better manufacturer in the world than Mercedes-Benz? It's tough to argue against. Porsche may make better sports cars at present, and throwing a blank check towards Rolls-Royce may get you more opulence and splendor, but the reality is, Mercedes-Benz has been at the very thick of the automotive industry for longer than anyone.

This longevity has allowed its models to gain a strong reputation for being classy, fast, and, in most cases, reliable cars. And while these personality traits make for a tempting proposition, particularly given how well the aesthetics of certain Silver Arrows have aged, does it necessarily make it worth it when you consider how expensive they can be to run and maintain?

Going and buying an S-Class limousine or a raucous C63 for under $15k wouldn't be too difficult, and would probably last you for moon mile amounts if you really looked after them. But the reality is, that blend of performance and luxury will not be cheap to look after. So here are 10 Mercedes-Benz cars that will bankrupt you within months of taking ownership.

The compact car that was meant to change the world, the original A-Class is very much Marmite: you love it, or you hate it. Its designer even earned awards, which does signal the demand that the world had for a car of this type back in the late 90s. But despite a somewhat successful start to life, the W168-era A-Class’ mechanical gremlins have given it a bittersweet legacy.

It's slightly more difficult to estimate the average maintenance price for one of these since reliable source material is hard to come by. But its list of potential issues include starter motor problems, power steering faults, and ECU struggles that could very likely lead to a trip to the junkyard. A sensible guess would be around $400 per year, and that contributes hugely to why it ranks fairly low among the best Mercedes A-Class model years to buy used.

The SL-Class from the Noughties is yet another superb option for those that want a throwback roadster that offers all the speed and thrills you could ever need, at a more than reasonable price. When we think about what made the Mercedes-AMG SL55 special, we can't quite put our finger on just one thing. The looks? The noise? Perhaps even the wonderfully traditional interior.

But one thing we certainly won't appreciate is the costs associated with ownership. The most hilarious of these is that, with the earlier models, the roof has been known to detach after certain speeds. More mechanically-related problems include intercooler issues, as well as faulty hydraulic suspension struts and ABC pumps. You could be looking at close to $550 per year for Mercedes-Benz SL55 repair and maintenance, and while that shouldn't be a dealbreaker, it is a huge consideration.

The 2008-2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (W204) was, and is, one hell of a car. It's loud and wants to make a scene everywhere it goes, but at the flick of a switch, can turn into a sleeping giant that wants to coax passengers into a stage of pure tranquility. Better still is the fact that slightly high-mileage 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupes are going for under $20k if you look in the right places.

Unfortunately, however, maintenance is going to cost an absolute bomb. With the older models, suspension rattles are common, while rusted brake lines and jerky transmissions can also rack up the bills. So, the average Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG repair and maintenance estimate sits at around $636 per year – and that's before you even account for the ridiculous MPG you get in return for owning one of the very best super sedans ever made.

Related: 10 Best Mercedes-Benzes Ever For Performance And Comfort

The W212-era E-Class is slightly more mature than some of its siblings, but it still maintains a huge dose of that AMG lunacy in its range-topping guise. We even think the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon is a $50,000 ticket to sporty awesomeness, and remains one of the best-used estates you can buy.

Like the W204 C63, you don't really need to break the bank to land yourself a clean W212 E63 example, but the real challenge will lie in keeping it in good condition. Internal component failures can cause rough shifts on the manual versions, while leaks from rear air springs and cracked driveshaft flex discs, which can cause vibration from the shaft, are all common issues. So, please consider the high annual maintenance cost of a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG before purchase.

This may come as a surprise since many owners of the W203-generation C-Class seem happy enough. Some even argue that the third-gen Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a diamond in the rough, and while it does have its positives, we think this couldn't be further from the truth. The mid-range C230 models suffer from rust as a primary issue, in addition to problems with the Valeo radiators, signal acquisition modules, front suspension bushes, and the balancing shaft.

That means the average Mercedes-Benz C230 repair, service, and maintenance cost for a year is estimated to be $727. Considering the car is only worth a few times more than that itself, you will literally spend more on maintenance within a few years of ownership than what you spent to buy the car to begin with. High-risk, low-reward.

We’re on the fence with this one, because the W211 E350 is a car we really, really like. It poses as a superb option for a mid-range 2000s cruiser, but in reality, it's a disaster waiting to happen. It definitely qualifies for the list of 10 used Mercedes-Benz models you should avoid like the plague, and the main reason for this is an estimated repair, service, and maintenance cost of $788 per year.

That's a substantial outlay for a car that really shouldn't be giving you as many issues as it does. Headlined by camshaft adjuster solenoid failures, internal component mishaps, and engine performance problems thanks to a temperamental crankshaft position sensor, you’re not likely to enjoy this relationship – regardless of how sweet it may seem from the outside.

Related: 10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz SUVs On The Used Market

Another Noughties Merc that really does look better now than it did back then; but the sheer number of ugly box-shaped cars that we have on the market now could’ve contributed heavily to that. With the Silver Arrow's signature 6.2-liter V8, the 2004-2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 is about as loud and inappropriate as anything else Stuttgart has to offer.

With used 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG Coupe examples hovering around the $17,000 portal, the only thing that would put us off getting one is the number of things that could potentially go wrong. An electrical fault on the rack-and-pinion assembly could lead to a steering malfunction, while problems with the airmatic suspension in high-mileage cars could be a big fix.

Perhaps the most tempting car on this list, the S-Class moniker has signaled towards the very best polymerization of comfort and technology since the first "official" S-Class came to be in 1972. Since then, it has built a stellar reputation for being a leader in its field. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 Hybrid is a very impressive car itself, but the W221-generation is the one that seems the most enticing model to go for at present.

Striking a balance between being affordable and still hugely impressive, the repair and maintenance estimates for a Mercedes-Benz S550 is around $950 at present, but with the more powerful S65s, expect this to comfortably exceed a thousand dollars per year. But if you were willing to take the plunge, you can get one for around $15,000 – and at that price range, nothing comes close in regard to luxury.

One of the very first leaders in the ‘cross-over’ segment, the M-Class has essentially transformed into what is now known as the GLE. But for the GLE to become a success, the M-Class had some serious competition to hold off, and it did so extremely well to become one of the best-selling cars in its class during its time.

But as you’d expect with any big, fuel-guzzling car, Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG repair and maintenance does not come cheap. The thought of spending over $1,000 per year on issues like motor mount failures, crankshaft position sensor issues, and cracks on the front catalytic converter will not be fun to live with. So, as good as the ML55 is, it's one tempting Merc that really isn't worth the headache that comes with ownership. That's also why it made our list of 25 luxury cars no one should be driving.

Related: 10 Used Mercedes-Benz Cars That'll Last You A Lifetime

Whichever model you opt for, the GL-Class is a costly car to live with. Even if you take the entry-level GL450, you’re looking at forking out close to $1,300 per year on repair and maintenance for your Mercedes-Benz. Yes, it undoubtedly has a wonderful interior, and it sits so high off the ground that you iron over any bumps and humps on the road – but just because it's uber soft, does it make it worth the upkeep? We doubt it.

Cylinder misfires, air intake fabric hose snaps, and a plethora of electric issues with both the infotainment system and internal wiring will lead to a miserable ownership experience. While we love the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 600, its cheaper ancestor is anything but lovable. And it all boils down to the fact that you’ll be spending a ridiculous amount each year. Forget a ten-foot pole, we wouldn't even touch this with a 100-foot one.

Shafiq is a petrolhead to his core, and has had a lifelong obsession with anything that came from Japan in the 90s. When he isn't driving, talking or writing about cars, he enjoys watching football and taking his German Shepherd on countryside adventures.His motoring journalism career so far has seen him write for publications like CarThrottle, DriveTribe, Electrifying and The Intercooler. Shafiq is also a double graduate, holding a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in automotive journalism.