2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC 2.1L Diesel · OV59 CVH

Fuel economy for the 2,148cc diesel CLC should be in the region of 40-50 mpg on a mixed cycle, though real-world figures may be lower given the high mileage suggesting primarily urban or motorway use. Road tax for a 2009 diesel of this engine size will fall in a higher band, likely £200-£300+ per year depending on exact CO2 emissions. Insurance for a Mercedes CLC coupe typically sits in groups 28-34, so expect premiums of £500-£900 annually for a standard driver.

Typical annual maintenance for a high-mileage Mercedes diesel can easily run £800-£1,500 once you factor in brake discs and pads, tyres, fluid changes, and the inevitable replacement of wear items. Diesel particulate filter issues, turbo failure, and injector problems are all common on these engines at this mileage, any of which could cost £1,000-£2,500 to rectify. Realistically, expect total annual running costs of £1,500-£2,500 when including fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance — significantly higher than the purchase price might suggest.

The MOT history for this vehicle does not record specific defect details, which is unusual and limits the diagnostic value of the records — the two failures (September 2021 and September 2023) show no defects recorded, while the intervening passes also show no advisories. This is worth questioning with the seller, as MOT certificates typically list advisories even on passes, and the absence of recorded advisories across 200,000+ miles of motoring is notable. Request the actual MOT certificates (VT20 or VT30) from the DVSA to confirm what was actually tested and whether any advisories were issued.

Given the mileage, focus the physical inspection on known weak points for the Mercedes CLC and its 2,148cc diesel engine: check the timing chain for stretch (cold-start rattle is a classic symptom), inspect the turbocharger for excessive play and oil leaks, examine the EGR valve and intake manifold for carbon deposits, and test the diesel particulate filter with a vigorous motorway run to check for regeneration issues. The CLC's suspension components, particularly the front control arm bushes and rear subframe mountings, are prone to wear at this mileage — listen for knocking over speed bumps. Also inspect the automatic or manual gearbox for smooth operation; the six-speed manual in this era can develop synchro wear, while the automatic variants are known for mechatronic sleeve issues costing £1,000+ to repair.

Beyond mechanical items, check for water ingress in the boot and around the sunroof seals, examine the COMAND infotainment system for functionality, and verify all electronic features work including the climate control, electric seats, and parking sensors. The grey paintwork should be inspected for fading or clearcoat failure, which is common on darker Mercedes of this era. Underneath, look for evidence of accident repair, corrosion around the wheel arches and sills, and any oil leaks from the engine or transmission. A compression test and diagnostic scan with Mercedes STAR or ICarsoft equipment would provide valuable reassurance on engine health at this mileage.