Petrol · 2012–2018
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)All about the 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine
The 1.6 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine was fitted to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) (2012–2018). In the EU that is 32.4 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.6 122 hp, 1.6, 1.6 156 hp.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain tensioner wear, chain stretch (rare, poor oil service): it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €1,500–3,000 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Often none before failure; unusual noise, power loss or rough running, in the worst case sudden engine damage
Fix: Check by VIN at a Mercedes dealer (or KBA / ADAC recall lookup) whether the camshaft recall applies and was done; the camshaft is replaced free of charge
Signs: Oil in the magnet plugs or wiring, engine light, camshaft position fault codes; in bad cases oil reaches the engine ECU
Fix: Replace the leaking magnets, fit oil-stop adapter cables and check the harness and ECU connector for oil
Signs: Engine light with P0128, engine slow to warm up or temperature unstable, higher fuel use
Fix: Replace the thermostat with its housing
Signs: Coolant level warning, slow coolant loss, traces around the expansion tank
Fix: Replace the expansion tank (and cap) and check the rest of the cooling system for leaks
Signs: Power loss, rough idle or misfire, higher fuel consumption
Fix: Clean or replace the injectors; walnut-blast or chemically clean the intake valves if misfires persist
Signs: Rattle for a few seconds at cold start, camshaft timing fault codes
Fix: Check camshaft timing values with diagnostics; replace chain, tensioner and guides if stretched
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
Signs: Jerks in traffic, delayed engagement
Fix: Software update; fluid change; mechatronic
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,200–4,950. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) with the 1.6 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³ · 90 kW (122 hp) | 20.2 % | 2013–2017 | 168 g/km | — |
| 1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³ | 5.5 % | 2013–2017 | 126 g/km | — |
| 1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³ · 115 kW (156 hp) | 4.0 % | 2013–2017 | 127 g/km | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (66). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain tensioner wear, chain stretch (rare, poor oil service) (150,000–250,000 km, €1,500–3,000); carbon deposits on injectors and intake valves (direct injection) (80,000–200,000 km, €300–1,000); oil leaks from camshaft adjuster magnets into the wiring (60,000–160,000 km, €200–700); coolant thermostat failure (code P0128) (60,000–180,000 km, €350–650).
Chain.
5W-30 · MB 229.5 · ~5.8 L · every 15,000 km.
Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) 2013–2019Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156) 2013–2020Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246) 2011–2018
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026