2017 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · AF67 YUU

The 2.1-litre diesel C-Class typically returns 50-65 mpg in real-world driving, depending on journey type, giving excellent motorway economy for a car of this size. Road tax sits in a low band for the 2143cc diesel thanks to its sub-130 g/km CO2 output, costing around £20-£35 per year for this registration. Insurance is usually group 28-32 depending on trim, so budget roughly £500-£800 annually for a standard driver.

Typical maintenance costs are higher than for mainstream brands, with an oil and filter service from a main dealer in the £200-£280 range and an independent specialist around £150. Timing chain replacement on the OM651, if not already done, can run £800-£1,500, so confirming this work is worthwhile negotiating on. Assuming a mix of motorway use and modest servicing costs, a realistic annual running cost is in the region of £1,400-£1,800.

Given the model-level failure data highlights tyres, headlamps, and suspension arms as the most common MOT failure points, these deserve particular attention on this vehicle. Inspect all four tyres for even wear and a minimum of 3 mm tread across the full width, check the headlamps for condensation, condensation marks, or LED module failure, and bounce each corner of the car to listen for knocking from the front suspension arms and bushes. Also examine the rear springs, as the W205 is known for sagging rear coil springs on higher-mileage cars.

Because the failed MOT on 2024-10-07 was followed just four days later by a pass on 2024-10-11 with no defects, it is reasonable to assume the failure was corrected quickly and cheaply, but you should still ask to see the original failure sheet. Beyond the MOT-specific items, inspect for diesel-specific concerns: blue or black smoke on start-up (indicating injector or turbo wear), coolant level consistency (suggesting possible EGR or head gasket issues), and any warning messages relating to the AdBlue system. Finally, a diagnostic scan at an independent Mercedes specialist is highly recommended before purchase to check for stored fault codes that won't appear on an MOT.