Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Registered from 2005 to 2025.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a subcompact executive car manufactured and marketed by Mercedes-Benz since 2005. Based on the A-Class with larger dimensions, the European New Car Assessment Programme classifies it as a small MPV.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz B-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 1.5 diesel. 1,076 of 6,051 tests failed, 18%.
Better than 47% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 36% | 383 |
| Suspension | 31% | 329 |
| Lights and electrics | 30% | 321 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 16% | 167 |
| Brakes | 15% | 165 |
| Visibility | 11% | 115 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 36% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 31% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Exhaust and emissions — 16% of its failures
- Brakes — 15% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 30% of its failures
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- Visibility — 11% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 17% of its inspections, against the 23% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 8% | 7% | 40 | |
| 20–40k miles | 12% | 11% | 687 | |
| 40–60k miles | 15% | 15% | 1,729 | |
| 60–80k miles | 19% | 19% | 1,839 | |
| 80–100k miles | 21% | 21% | 1,048 | |
| 100–120k miles | 22% | 23% | 448 | |
| 120–140k miles | 20% | 23% | 152 | |
| 140–160k miles | 17% | 23% | 60 |
6,003 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1495 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 6.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1409 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1409 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.6 petrol · 154 hp · 1419 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 7.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.5 diesel · 114 hp · 1432 kg · 2652 mm wheelbase · 3.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1436 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1435 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1445 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.8 diesel · 134 hp · 1492 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.8 diesel · 134 hp · 1493 kg · 2695 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 107 hp · 1452 kg · 2754 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 2.0 diesel · 1467 kg · 2778 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00506/22
Improper wiring harness of the left rear side airbag can damage the airbag when weight is placed on the rear seat cushion. As a result, this airbag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00531/22
Improper torque of the screws on the brake caliper housing can cause the screw connections to become loose. As a result, the braking performance would be reduced and components of the brake caliper may be lost, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00940/24
The steering software may not correctly activate the fallback level in the event of a hardware failure. This could affect the power steering assistance and lead to the loss of steering capacity, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Update of the electric steering software
A12/0267/19
A bolt in the locking mechanism of the articulated trailer coupling is defective. It could break while a trailer is being towed and consequently the trailer could detach, thus increasing the risk of an accident for following traffic.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02969/24
The pyrofuse casing may move while the vehicle is in motion, potentially damaging cables. As a result, the pyrofuse could fail during an accident or cause the separator piston to dislodge into the driver’s footwell, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, in plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, cable damage could lead to high-voltage system failure and loss of power without warning, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1733/17
The steering column is not sufficiently earthed. As a result, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, the driver's airbag may be triggered when not required. This could cause an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00883/25
A gasket is lacking between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust gas turbocharger. This can lead to hot, unpurified exhaust gas seeping out between the turbocharger and the manifold. This can damage the cylinder head cover and cause an oil leak. If the oil come into contact with hot engine parts, the vehicle can catch fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
1 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.