Steering lock (ESL / ELV) failure
usually 60,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Key turns but the car won't start
Fix: Replace ESL (updated part)
€300–800
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)
2009–2016
6
engines covered
15
known faults
127,190
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
71
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) was built from 2009 to 2016.
For this generation we cover 6 engines and 15 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain guides (early engines): it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €1,500–3,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (9.9 %), suspension (8.0 %), brakes (6.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 1.8 Kompressor / CGI (Mercedes M271) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · MB 229.5 · ~5.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M274) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · MB 229.5 · ~5.8 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 V6 & V8 (Mercedes M272 / M273) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · MB 229.5 · ~8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · MB 229.5 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · MB 229.51 / 229.52 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 CDI V6 (Mercedes OM642) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · MB 229.51 · ~8.0 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Faults by engine
1.6 / 1.8 Kompressor / CGI (Mercedes M271)
Camshaft adjuster magnet oil leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the wiring plug — can reach the ECU
Fix: Replace magnet, check the harness
€150–600
Crankcase breather hoses
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks, whistle
Fix: Replace hoses
€100–300
1.6 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M274)
Camshaft adjuster solenoid oil leak
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the wiring plug, check-engine light
Fix: Replace solenoids, check the harness
€200–500
Timing chain stretch
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Cold-start rattle
Fix: Replace chain and adjusters
€1,500–3,000
2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 V6 & V8 (Mercedes M272 / M273)
Intake manifold flap failure
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Engine light, power loss
Fix: Replace intake manifold
€500–1,200
Thermostat / coolant leaks
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Slow warm-up, coolant loss
Fix: Replace thermostat
€150–400
3.0 / 3.5 V6 petrol (Mercedes M276)
Timing chain tensioners / oil check valves — cold-start rattle
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start
Fix: Fit the updated tensioners and check valves; replace the chain if it has stretched
€400–2,500
Camshaft adjuster solenoid oil leak
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the wiring plug, check-engine light
Fix: Replace solenoids, check the harness
€200–500
Thermostat / coolant leaks
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Slow warm-up, coolant loss
Fix: Replace thermostat
€150–400
2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651)
Piezo injectors (2009–2011)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rough running, knocking, no-start
Fix: Replace injectors (check campaign)
€1,000–2,500
Timing chain stretch
usually 200,000–280,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Correlation codes, rattle
Fix: Replace chain
€1,200–2,200
EGR / DPF
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
3.0 CDI V6 (Mercedes OM642)
Oil cooler seals (engine valley)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Oil leak at the back of the engine / bellhousing
Fix: Reseal the oil cooler (intake off)
€1,000–2,000
Intake swirl flaps / actuator
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Engine light, limp mode
Fix: Replace manifold or actuator
€600–1,500
EGR / DPF
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€400–1,800
Timing chain guides (early engines)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2005–2010 only
Signs: Rattle
Fix: Replace guides and chain
€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
5G / 7G / 9G-Tronic
Conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic)
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace the conductor plate; fluid every 60–100,000 km
€500–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6 / 1.8 Kompressor / CGI (Mercedes M271) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| 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 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 127,190 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.9 % | 4.4 % | 6.9 % | 9.0 % | 9.6 % | 8.8 % |
| Suspension | 2.5 % | 5.0 % | 8.0 % | 11.2 % | 12.3 % | 11.0 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.8 % | 8.2 % | 9.9 % | 10.3 % | 10.3 % | 9.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.3 % | 3.2 % | 5.1 % | 6.6 % | 7.5 % | 7.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.4 % | 0.5 % | 0.6 % | 0.8 % | 1.2 % | 1.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.6 % | 2.1 % | 2.6 % | 3.6 % | 4.1 % | 4.6 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 671 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (71). 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 On affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture.20/02/2023 · R/2023/023
- Doors / locks / lids The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame might not meet specifications.06/02/2023 · R/2023/020
- Suspension / axles Individual bolts or chain links of the camshaft timing chain might wear23/05/2022 · R/2022/116
- 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/2021/108
- Other The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications01/12/2021 · R/2021/107
- 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
The other recalls (63) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) 2002–2009Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) 2016–2023
Sources and notes
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. 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.
Updated 07/10/2026