Mercedes maintenance: cost, plans and service schedule

Are Mercedes expensive to maintain?

At $1,241 per year, the cost to repair and maintain a Mercedes-Benz is on the higher end of the spectrum, according to RepairPal data adjusted for inflation. Compare that to the $891-per-year average for all brands. So what’s the reason behind the high costs? As you can imagine, with most luxury cars, the advanced technology, quality and nature of the parts and the potentially specialized training needed to service a Mercedes can lead to higher expenses. It is worth noting though that among luxury brands, it’s actually one of the more affordable cars to keep on the road.

How Mercedes compares with other automakers

While Mercedes sits about $350 above the industry average for maintenance and repair costs, according to RepairPal, other luxury brands, like BMW ($1,323) and Audi ($1,349), have average expenses even higher than Mercedes-Benz.

These statistics are helpful for comparing automakers’ lineups, but they’re not entirely accurate if you want to predict ownership costs for a given vehicle.

Mercedes maintenance and repair costs by model

For example, annual repair and maintenance costs vary considerably depending on the model you drive. Take a look at how much annual costs can vary between three popular Mercedes models in the table below to see what we mean.

It’s worth pointing out that these statistics also combine repair and maintenance costs, even though these are distinct services that require you to budget in different ways.

With that in mind, let’s break down how these costs differ for Mercedes-Benzes so you can accurately anticipate your expenses.

Mercedes maintenance cost and schedule

Mercedes-Benz splits its maintenance schedule into two cadences, with all recommended maintenance services split between what it calls the “Service A” schedule and the “Service B” schedule.

Basically, to keep your Mercedes in good shape, you need to alternate between a Service A appointment and a Service B appointment every 12 months or 10,000 miles.

Here’s a list of what’s recommended for each service.

However, you should be aware that this schedule may not be appropriate for every Mercedes-Benz. We recommend checking your owner’s manual or speaking with a local Mercedes-Benz technician if you aren’t sure what maintenance schedule to follow for your vehicle.

Maintenance costs are easier to estimate because you know when they’ll be needed. You just have to find a mechanic near you, check what they charge and map that out over your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule.

Example: 2019 Mercedes GLC 300 maintenance costs

Here are some price estimates we collected for a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 in Austin, Texas.

Schedule maintenance for severe driving conditions

Mercedes-Benz typically recommends a more frequent maintenance schedule for vehicles subjected to severe operating conditions, which include towing, frequent short trips (typically under 5 miles), stop-and-go traffic, extreme temperatures and driving in dusty, sandy or hilly terrain.

These conditions may accelerate the wear and tear on the vehicle's components, which can necessitate more frequent maintenance and sooner replacement of things like interior filters, spark plugs, coolant, engine air filters and more. Check your vehicle's owners manual or consult with your dealership’s service department for specifics.

Mercedes repair costs

Repair costs are harder to predict because they’re not needed on a predetermined schedule. However, you can get an idea of what to expect by looking at others’ experiences.

We don’t have the room to break down the most common repairs for every Mercedes-Benz model, but you can look up common issues for your vehicle online and use a repair cost estimator, like RepairPal, to see what they may cost to fix.

Example: 2019 Mercedes GLC 300 repair costs

Here are a few common issues you could face with a Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and the approximate costs of fixing them, including parts and labor.

You should also at least be aware of the potential for catastrophic problems that cost considerably more to fix. These repairs aren’t as common, but they do happen.

Bulus, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Delaware, told us: “My MB S550 with 76,000 miles developed a ‘Check Engine’ warning light. My local MB Dealership is quoting more than $11,000 to fix the problem.”

George, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from California, also reported major problems, writing: “Leased a brand-new 2020 AMG GTC Roadster 2/2021. On the drive home I got the first error message and noticed a busted subwoofer. After that, engine lights. Then the engine lights again. Then four simultaneous error messages. Multiple knocking sounds. Overall, the $189,000 car has been in the shop with 10 different issues for about 70 days.”

Author’s note: From a professional technician’s standpoint, the problem with Mercedes-Benz vehicles is the same as with many other luxury brands. Not only are the parts expensive, but the labor is also more costly than normal. In some cases, repairs even require the help of a specially trained Mercedes-Benz mechanic.

If your vehicle is still in its factory warranty period, you shouldn’t need to pay anything for covered repairs. It’s just hard to factor that into broader analyses because Mercedes-Benz’s new vehicle warranty varies based on the model you choose.

For example, a new 2023 EQB comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the new 2023 Sprinter comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. To find your warranty coverage, look in the owner’s manual or call your local dealership.

» LEARN: What is a manufacturer’s warranty?

How can an extended warranty help?

Unlike some other automakers, Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer a nationwide free maintenance plan on new vehicles, and eventually, your factory warranty will end. At that point, you’re potentially on the hook for repair and maintenance costs.

Two popular options for saving money on these expenses are prepaid maintenance plans and extended warranties, and Mercedes-Benz actually offers both.

Mercedes-Benz’s line of prepaid maintenance plans covers routine maintenance for one year or 10,000 miles (whichever comes first) and can save you up to 30% off upcoming service appointments.

Extended warranties pay to fix breakdowns that result from wear and tear.

Extended warranties, on the other hand, cover repair costs. Given the potentially high cost of Mercedes repairs, you may want to seriously consider extended warranty protection if you don’t have several thousand dollars at your disposal. (Yes, you already pay for car insurance, but the coverage isn’t the same.)

Mercedes-Benz’s Extended Limited Warranties are available to buy before your factory New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires, and terms range from 1 year/75,000 miles to 3 years/100,000 miles.

However, Mercedes-Benz isn’t your only option for an extended warranty. Third-party extended warranty companies can often offer similar coverage at lower rates. The key to finding the right deal is to get quotes from multiple warranty providers and compare their offerings.