Mercedes-Benz is one of the most revered luxury car brands on the market. Regardless, it also has its ugly side that you should know about before buying one.
Mercedes-Benz cars are very expensive to buy and they have a bad resale value. On top of that, this three-star badge is expensive to maintain and repair. Unlike conventional vehicles, Mercedes cars require specialized handling to avoid violating their warranties.
Here are some reasons why Mercedes are bad cars:
Reliability
Before you purchase a Benz, do research and find out more about its history and reputation. This is because some Mercedes models are very unreliable. They start developing problems after covering only 60,000 miles. However, most Mercedes won’t start to develop problems until after 100,000 miles.
Some of the common Mercedes problem areas are rust, transmission, and air suspension. Consider buying a Mercedes model like the E-Class, which is one of the most reliable luxury cars on the market. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the most problems.
Poor resale value
Another downside about Mercedes is that they have one of the worst resale values. Even though this luxury car brand has a better resale value than Audi and BMW, it’s rated lower than Lexus and Porsche. According to Kelly Blue Book studies, both Porsche and Lexus have a resale value of above 45%, while Mercedes falls below this mark.
It’s estimated that most Mercedes models will lose 42% of their resale value within the first 4 years. This means that you will sell your car at almost a throw-away price after 5 years of ownership. This is why used Mercedes models are so cheap.
Expensive post-warranty repair and maintenance
Have you ever wondered why some people don’t own a Mercedes-Benz for more than 4 years? A Mercedes-Benz warranty lasts for 50,000 miles or 4 years. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship during this period.
Once your warranty runs out, you might regret the day you bought your Mercedes if you can’t afford the expensive repair costs. The cost of repairing and maintaining your Benz skyrockets when the warranty period ends.
Costly repair parts
Apart from having costly post-warranty repairs, you will also encounter expensive replacement parts. Unlike Toyota parts that cost a few hundreds of dollars, most Mercedes-Benz parts are thousands of dollars.
Most dealers will advise you to get genuine parts from Mercedes as they last longer. These are expensive but will give you peace of mind and a sense of security. There are also some aftermarket parts available, which are cheaper but not long-lasting.
Mercedes-Benz Authorized service dealers
Not only will you be faced with the burden of buying expensive genuine MB parts, but you will also have to pay exorbitant fees to specialized Mercedes dealers. These are authorized Mercedes dealers with the right equipment to handle your Benz. However, their charges are very pricey.
Over-engineered and complicated systems
One of the main reasons Mercedes-Benz vehicles aren’t always reliable is because of their over-engineered and complicated systems. You will find that almost every Mercedes system is extremely complex. So, if your car develops a small issue, you will probably have to spend a lot to correct the problem.
Good things to know about Mercedes and reliability
Are Mercedes cars reliable?
Mercedes-Benz cars are not only luxurious, but also technologically advanced. Since they have many complicated systems, this makes them unreliable over the long run. However, not all Mercedes models are unreliable. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most reliable luxury cars on the market.
Do Mercedes have a lot of problems?
Yes, Mercedes vehicles usually develop some issues that may be hard to deal with. So, before you buy a Mercedes of your choice, it’s crucial to know which issues that particular model faces. Most Mercedes models develop problems after 60,000 miles.
However, serious Mercedes issues start after 100,000 miles. That’s why it’s probably not a good choice to buy a Mercedes-Benz model with more than 150,000 miles on it.
Some of the common Mercedes problems include rust, air suspension failure, low brake pressure, worn-out catalytic convertor, and transmission problems.
Should I buy a Mercedes?
Mercedes-Benz is a car of class. Additionally, it elevates your status as people assume Mercedes owners have heavy pockets. Nevertheless, this car has its share of problems. Not only is it expensive to buy, but also to maintain. Also, you will be required to visit a certified dealer to handle your car.
Is Mercedes more reliable than Audi and BMW?
Mercedes, Audi, and BMW are notable luxury brands. Mercedes is more comfortable than BMW and Audi, while BMW performs better with excellent handling. Audi falls between these two as it’s more comfortable than BMW and performs better than Mercedes.
When it comes to reliability, no German luxury brand beats Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes vehicles are not only reliable, but also the most comfortable and safest on the market. They are more durable than Audi and BMW.
Why are used Mercedes so cheap?
Used Mercedes are cheap because they are very expensive to maintain and repair. When a Mercedes runs out of warranty, the cost of maintaining and buying parts almost doubles. As a result, many Mercedes owners tend to get rid of the car after the warranty elapses.
Furthermore, a good number of new Mercedes-Benz models are leased. When the leasing period is over, these cars are sold at an affordable price compared to what they could cost while still new. Many people take advantage of this and acquire previously-leased cars.
Still worth it
Generally, Mercedes-Benz offers some of the best cars on the market. Not only are Mercedes vehicles comfortable, luxurious, and highly advanced, but they are also safe. However, the cars costly and very expensive to maintain. Also, they have a bad resale value and some models are unreliable.
If you intend to sell your Mercedes-Benz after a few years of ownership, you may end up regretting getting it in the first place. When your warranty ends, the cost of repairs and maintenance will be off the charts.
To conclude, it’s worth sacrificing the bad for the good that Mercedes offers. It has many good things compared to other luxury cars in the same class.
