Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Cost Guide
On average, Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs $908 a year. See how this price compares to the average annual maintenance costs of other car brands.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Maintenance for Mercedes-Benz vehicles costs an average of $908 per year of ownership, according to RepairPal.
- Expect maintenance costs to increase as your Mercedes-Benz ages.
- Mercedes-Benz offers two prepaid maintenance plans with coverage for vehicles up to 8 model years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles.
If you want the power of a Mercedes, you have to be prepared to handle the cost. Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs are pretty expensive compared to other brands and drivers pay about $908 on average per year to maintain and repair their Mercedes vehicles, according to RepairPal.com.
Below, we take a look at maintenance needs and common repairs for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as their associated costs. Reputable extended warranty providers can help lower ownership costs, and we’ve researched the best extended car warranty providers on the market. In this article, we’ll give you our top provider picks based on customer service, industry reputation, and coverage.
General Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Cost
Practicing regular maintenance is important, especially if you drive a Mercedes. Mercedes are built well and can last a long time if they taken care of, but going without routine services can lead to major repairs down the line. Plus, a routine maintenance history enhances the value of the car when it comes time to sell.
As we mentioned, the average Mercedes annual maintenance cost is about $908. There are two scheduled service categories for Mercedes-Benz vehicles: service A and service B.
Service A happens after the first 10,000 miles and includes:
- Oil change
- Oil filter replacement
- Brake inspection
- Tire pressure check
- Fluid level check and correction
Service B happens after the first 20,000 miles or 1 year after service A. It includes everything from service A, plus extra items like changing the cabin air filter and brake fluid. As the car ages, the computer will recommend other maintenance services like changing the coolant and transmission fluid.
The two types of services alternate yearly (or every 10,000 miles).
Below are some of the service A and B maintenance costs of popular Mercedes models compared to the average cost across all car brands.
| Mercedes Model | Maintenance Item | Average Cost | Mercedes Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLS450 | Oil change | $131 to $145 | $239 to $253 |
| A220 | Tire rotation | $35 to $45 | $44 to $56 |
| C300 | Cabin air filter replacement | $65 to $86 | $102 to $127 |
| CLS53 AMG | Brake fluid change | $81 to $102 | $143 to $180 |
You can see that a Mercedes-Benz oil change costs more than average. That’s mainly because Mercedes-Benz vehicles require synthetic oil. You also might be more comfortable visiting the dealer or a specialty shop for an oil change instead of a chain, and that would increase the cost. At the same time, you only have to replace the oil every year or 10,000 miles.
Five-Year Mercedes Maintenance Costs
Next, let’s look at some data on Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs over a five-year period. We’ll look at the cost to maintain 2021 and 2015 model-year vehicles over the next five years if they were purchased today. Spoiler alert: Older Mercedes-Benz models cost more to maintain.
This information comes from Edmunds.com’s True Cost to Own tool, which assumes people drive 15,000 miles per year. Costs are also dependent upon your ZIP code and driving habits. (We used a Portland, Oregon, ZIP code for the calculator.)
| Model | Five-Year Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan 2.0L | $7,096 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan 2.0L | $9,419 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 sedan | $8,108 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 sedan | $13,713 |
The C-Class sedan is a popular middle-of-the-road model for Mercedes. You can see that the cost to maintain a 2017 model is a bit more than a 2023 model. However, other sedan models, particularly those of older model years, would cost more to maintain if purchased today.
Common Mercedes-Benz Repair Costs
So far, we’ve discussed regular, expected maintenance items and costs. But another huge part of owning a car is paying for unexpected repairs. A highly engineered German car like Mercedes will require more work and resources to repair. Here are a few of the most common Mercedes-Benz repair costs:
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Water pump replacement for C240 | $885 to $1,063 |
| Wheel hub replacement for SLK350 | $234 to $271 |
| Brake pad replacement for SLK55 AMG | $311 to $491 |
| Hybrid battery cable replacement for GL450 | $266 to $289 |
| Replace spark plugs for C320 | $450 to $536 |
*Cost data from RepairPal.
Comparing Mercedes Models
Overall repair costs may differ among models. Here are a few Mercedes models and their annual repair costs (including maintenance).
| Model | Annual Repair Costs |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C350 | $724 |
| Mercedes-Benz E350 | $788 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | $859 |
| Mercedes-Benz ML350 | $1,020 |
| Mercedes-Benz S550 | $1,249 |
| Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG | $1,581 |
*Cost data from RepairPal.
Along with the entry-level A-Class, C-Class Mercedes models are on the affordable end compared to other cars by the brand. However, they are still expensive to maintain compared to other brands on the market.
As you’d expect, repair costs increase as you move up the model line. Having more features, power, and technology translates into paying higher maintenance costs. According to the above numbers from RepairPal, an S63 AMG is more than twice as expensive to maintain as a C350. Then again, the sale price is three times higher, too.
Comparing Mercedes-Benz Annual Costs To Other Brands
Here’s how Mercedes stacks up against other car brands in terms of average annual maintenance and repair costs across all models.
*Cost data from RepairPal.
While Lexus is a luxury brand, it’s also a division of Toyota. That means parts and labor are cheaper, which makes Lexus maintenance costs cheaper as well. The same goes for Infiniti, Nissan’s line of luxury vehicles.
The German automakers on this list (Mercedes, BMW, and Audi) all cost more to maintain. Then again, these brands also have many die-hard fans who wouldn’t drive anything else. The bottom line is it’s important to factor in the average Mercedes maintenance cost when looking to buy one, whether new or used. The sticker price is never the only amount you pay for a car.
Mercedes Prepaid Maintenance Plans
There are ways to save money on Mercedes maintenance costs. Some automakers, like BMW, offer free maintenance coverage for the first years of ownership. Mercedes isn’t one of these brands. However, the company does offer prepaid maintenance programs that can cover regular services up to 110,000 miles. Mercedes claims drivers can save up to 30 percent on dealership maintenance by choosing a prepaid plan.
The prices aren’t available online – you’ll have to contact a dealer to find out the cost. Below, we cover the different plan types.
Mercedes Premier Prepaid Maintenance
Mercedes’ Premier Prepaid maintenance program is available for new vehicles that are less than one model year old with fewer than 10,000 miles. New Mercedes owners can purchase plans that last for two, three, or four years, with covered services generally occurring once yearly or every 10,000 miles.
Note that the Premier Prepaid Maintenance plan must be purchased at any time before the first vehicle service date or before the vehicle reaches 10,000 miles – whichever happens first. The maximum coverage period for the Premier Prepaid Maintenance program is 4 years/40,000 miles from the date of purchase.
Maintenance services covered under Mercedes’ Premier Prepaid Maintenance program include:
- Synthetic motor oil and filter replacement
- Cabin filter replacement
- Brake fluid changes
- Fluid level checks
- Multi-point inspections
- Wiper blade replacement
- Engine air filter replacement
Some services may only be available every two years or 20,000 miles. Additionally, the Premier Prepaid Maintenance program offers model-specific coverages that may be unavailable for many Mercedes models.
Mercedes Star Prepaid Maintenance
This version of Mercedes’ prepaid maintenance program is designed for used vehicles up to 8 model years old with fewer than 80,000 miles. Star Prepaid Maintenance is available in two and three-year plans. Similar to the Premier Prepaid Maintenance coverage, required services occur once per year or every 10,000 miles.
Services covered through the Star Prepaid Maintenance program include:
- Synthetic motor oil and filter replacement
- Cain filter replacement
- Brake fluid changes
- Fluid level checks
- Multi-point inspections
- Wiper blade replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Engine air filter replacement
- Transmission oil and filter replacement
- Fuel filter replacement for diesel models
As with the Premier Prepaid Maintenance program, Mercedes’ Star Prepaid Maintenance plans include model-specific coverages that may not be available for all models. Additionally, some service intervals may be different from those in the Premier plans.
Note that you can’t cover your vehicle for the next 10 years or 110,000 miles with a single plan purchase. But once one plan ends, you can purchase another one for as long as your car remains eligible.
Are Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance Plans Worth It?
You’ll have to decide if dealer-backed prepaid maintenance is worth it to you. While it allows you to save money on Mercedes-Benz services, some non-dealer European auto shops could probably do the same level of work for less. Plus, it’s good to remember that prepaid maintenance is just that: maintenance. It doesn’t include any repair work outside of the standard recommended maintenance schedule. If you want repairs covered, too, you’ll need to add an extended warranty (unless your car is still under its factory warranty).
How Do Extended Warranties Help With Cost?
An extended car warranty can reduce some of the financial stress that can come with owning a Mercedes and seems to be a popular choice among Mercedes owners. In 2023, our team conducted a survey of 1,000 drivers with manufacturer-backed extended warranties. While only a small number of respondents owned vehicles from companies like Mercedes-Benz, 51 percent of those respondents relied on bumper-to-bumper coverage when buying the vehicle. At least 25 percent of respondents reported buying additional coverage after the vehicle’s first 50,000 miles.
A warranty or vehicle service contract won’t help with your scheduled Mercedes maintenance cost, but it could help when a water pump breaks or your transmission needs work. Extended service plans cover mechanical breakdowns when parts fail during normal use. As a brand-new car ages beyond its original limited warranty, it can become very expensive to repair certain parts, especially with a German manufacturer like Mercedes. It’s not uncommon to rack up thousands in one visit to the shop.
Even if you can afford those types of repairs, they can be a total inconvenience. An extended warranty can help you preserve your monthly budget so you can plan over the long term. Also, many plans come with small or $0 deductibles to keep your out-of-pocket costs low.
Mercedes Maintenance Cost: Bottom Line
Mercedes-Benz is famous for its performance and luxury, and for good reason. While they are high-quality vehicles, luxury comes at a price. On average, Mercedes are more expensive to maintain and repair than other car brands. That said, there are ways to reduce ownership costs, like extended warranties.
While manufacturers often offer their own extended warranties, you may want to consider a third-party provider. Our team spent 1,475 hours researching 46 companies to determine which ones are the best in the industry.
Our Top Picks For Extended Warranty Companies
Not all extended warranty companies offer the same level of service or coverage options. We reviewed a number of the most popular extended car warranty providers and found a handful of them rose above the rest. Here are a few things you can expect to find with the best companies:
- Convenience: Your provider pays the repair shop directly.
- Flexibility: You can choose your own repair facility.
- Longevity: Some coverage terms extend up to 200,000 miles.
- Full protection: Coverage can include high tech and advanced components.
- Perks: Many plans come with extras like roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
Our team surveyed 1,000 extended warranty customers and found that the most popular companies are Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex.
We mystery shopped with more than 40 independent extended warranty providers and found average monthly rates to be between $120 and $135. The total price of a warranty depends on many factors but averages around $3,000, according to our research.
While we recommend Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex, we strongly recommend getting several quotes to ensure you get the best deal. If you are considering other providers, we encourage you to call and make sure they offer warranty coverage for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Costs: FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs.
Do Mercedes vehicles require a lot of maintenance?
Mercedes-Benz recommends performing alternating services A and B every 10,000 miles. This schedule is not more than other manufacturers recommend, but you may pay a bit more for Mercedes service as time goes on.
Do Mercedes vehicles have a lot of problems?
According to RepairPal, the average Mercedes owner visits the repair shop about 80 percent more often than the average for the market. This means Mercedes vehicles have problems more often than the industry average.
Is a Mercedes-Benz a reliable car?
In terms of how many times you’ll visit a repair shop and what you’ll pay to maintain the vehicle over time, a Mercedes is not generally considered as reliable as other brands. RepairPal gives it a 3.0-star rating and ranks it 27th out of 32 brands for reliability.
Why is a Mercedes oil change so expensive?
Mercedes oil changes are so expensive because they require synthetic oil instead of conventional. Synthetic oil offers greater protection for your engine, but it comes at a higher price.
How much does a Mercedes cost to maintain?
A Mercedes costs about $908 a year to maintain on average, according to RepairPal. This number includes both scheduled maintenance and repair costs.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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