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
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253)
2015–2022
4
engines covered
7
known faults
78,263
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
64
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) was built from 2015 to 2022.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain stretch: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €1,500–3,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (5.6 %), suspension (3.1 %), lights, wipers and visibility (2.2 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension. It fails less often than average on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · MB 229.51 / 229.52 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 d (Mercedes OM654) | Diesel | Chain | 0W-20 / 5W-30 · MB 229.52 / 229.71 · ~6.5 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 |
| 1.5 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M260 / M264) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 / 5W-30 · MB 229.71 / 229.5 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651)
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
2.0 d (Mercedes OM654)
AdBlue / SCR faults
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: AdBlue warning
Fix: Replace NOx sensor or doser
€300–1,000
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
1.5 / 2.0 petrol (Mercedes M260 / M264)
48V belt starter-generator
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Start-stop faults, 48V warning
Fix: Replace RSG unit
€700–1,500
Gearboxes
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 2.1 CDI (Mercedes OM651) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| 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 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| 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 |
| 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: 78,263 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.7 % | 1.7 % | 2.2 % | 2.2 % | 4.1 % |
| Suspension | 0.8 % | 3.1 % | 5.5 % | 7.2 % | 8.1 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.7 % | 5.6 % | 6.3 % | 7.0 % | 7.9 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 1.6 % | 2.2 % | 2.9 % | 3.4 % | 4.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.6 % | 1.4 % | 1.9 % | 2.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 1.3 % | 2.1 % | 2.3 % | 2.7 % |
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: 208 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (64). 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 SRPC2512 - Bolting of Steering Coupling08/09/2025 · R/2025/333
- Fire risk SRPC2419 Misfire Detection M26404/12/2024 · R/2024/474
- 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
- Other The socket for the towing device in the front crossmember might not meet specifications10/11/2023 · R/2023/291
- Gearbox On affected vehicles the length of the transmission wiring harness might not meet specifications.03/11/2023 · R/2023/226
- Fuel system On affected vehicles the fuel pump impeller might not meet specifications and may deform.29/08/2023 · R/2023/223
- Other On affected vehicles the stabilisation of the footwell cover in the area of the accelerator pedal might be insufficient.21/06/2023 · R/2023/162
- 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
The other recalls (56) are listed in the app.
Other generations
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