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VIN Service Planner
Faults and service for this model with this engine

Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270)

Petrol · 2013–2019

6
known faults
40.0 %
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Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.

All about the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117)All about the 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine

The 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine was fitted to the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) (2013–2019). In the EU that is 40.0 % of all new cars of this generation.

Versions: 1.6 122 hp, 1.6 156 hp, 1.6, 2.0 211 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.

Engine faults ✓ Checked against sources (10/2026)

✓ 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.

Camshaft can break (faulty weld), recall for 2015 builds

usually 0–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2015–2016 only

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

free / recall

Oil leaks from camshaft adjuster magnets into the wiring

usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

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

€200–700

Coolant thermostat failure (code P0128)

usually 60,000–180,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Engine light with P0128, engine slow to warm up or temperature unstable, higher fuel use

Fix: Replace the thermostat with its housing

€350–650

Coolant loss from a leaking expansion tank

usually 60,000–200,000 km · Wear part

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

€100–300

Carbon deposits on injectors and intake valves (direct injection)

usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

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

€300–1,000

Timing chain tensioner wear, chain stretch (rare, poor oil service)

usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk

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

€1,500–3,000

Gearboxes

Manual

Clutch wear

usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Slipping, high bite point

Fix: Replace clutch kit

€500–900

Dual-mass flywheel

usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away

Fix: Replace with clutch

€700–1,400

7G-DCT (A / B / CLA / GLA)

7G-DCT jerky low-speed shifts / mechatronic

usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk

Signs: Jerks in traffic, delayed engagement

Fix: Software update; fluid change; mechatronic

€200–2,000

Service plan for this engine

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 CLA (C117) with the 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.

ItemIntervalTypical price
Engine oil + oil filterEngineevery 15,000 km or every 12 months€70–150
Cabin (pollen) filterClimateevery 15,000 km or every 12 months€15–40
Brake fluidBrakesevery 24 months€50–95
A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climateevery 24 months€70–150
Air filterEngineevery 30,000 km or every 24 months€15–45
Spark plugsIgnitionevery 60,000 km or every 48 months€50–160
Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngineevery 120,000 km€70–180
Coolant replacementCoolingevery 150,000 km or every 96 months€70–150
Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engineevery 150,000 km€0–120
Manual gearbox oilTransmissionevery 150,000 km€60–130
Front brake padsBrakesusually at 30,000–60,000 km€60–150
Front brake discs + padsBrakesusually at 60,000–120,000 km€150–320
Rear brake padsBrakesusually at 50,000–90,000 km€50–130
Tyres (set of 4)Wheelsusually at 40,000–60,000 km€320–700
Wiper bladesBodychecked at service€20–50
12V batteryElectricalchecked at service€100–220

Versions of this engine in the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117)

VersionShareYearsCO₂Fuel use
1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³ · 90 kW (122 hp)16.7 %2013–2018148 g/km—
1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³ · 115 kW (156 hp)11.8 %2013–2018152 g/km—
1.6 Petrol1,595 cm³5.2 %2013–2018138 g/km—
2.0 Petrol1,991 cm³ · 155 kW (211 hp)3.4 %2013–2018164 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.

Official recalls

Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (58). 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.

  • Steering SRPC2404 – Backup function of steering software06/05/2024 · R/2024/166
  • Doors / locks / lids On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair.07/02/2024 · R/2024/024
  • Fuel system A particle in the fuel rail might lead to a leak between the fuel rail and the injector24/03/2022 · R/2022/061
  • Brakes / ABS / ESP Bolting on brake caliper housing might not meet specifications24/03/2022 · R/2022/062
  • Other The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications01/12/2021 · R/2021/106
  • Other The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications01/12/2021 · R/2021/130
  • Other The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications29/11/2021 · R/2021/376
  • Doors / locks / lids Vehicles with a panoramic sunroofthe polycarbonate panel may not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair20/08/2021 · R/2021/274

Common questions

What are the biggest risks of the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) with the 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine?

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).

Does the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) have a timing belt or a chain?

Chain.

Which oil does the Mercedes-Benz CLA (C117) 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) need?

5W-30 · MB 229.5 · ~5.8 L · every 15,000 km.

The same model with other engines

1.8 / 2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651)1.5 dCi (K9K)

Other models with the 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M270) engine

Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) 2012–2018Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156) 2013–2020Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246) 2011–2018

Sources and notes

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