Are Mercedes expensive to maintain?
The cost to repair and maintain a Mercedes-Benz is on the higher end of the spectrum at $908 per year on average, according to RepairPal. This is much higher than the average of $652 across all models.
How Mercedes compares with other automakers
While Mercedes is more than $250 above the industry average for maintenance and repair costs, other luxury brands, like BMW and Audi, have higher average annual maintenance costs.
| Make | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| Mercedes | $908 per year |
| Audi | $987 per year |
| BMW | $968 per year |
| Ford | $775 per year |
| Volkswagen | $676 per year |
Mercedes maintenance and repair costs by model
The table below shows how much maintenance and repair costs can differ for three popular Mercedes models.
| Model | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 | $1,039 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 | $1,194 |
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 | $739 |
» MORE: Average car maintenance costs
Mercedes maintenance cost and schedule
Mercedes maintenance schedules and costs tend to vary across models.
Mercedes maintenance costs
Maintenance costs can be fairly easy to estimate because you know when they’ll be needed. You just have to find a mechanic near you and check what they charge for different services.
Example: Mercedes C300 maintenance costs
To give you an idea of what regular maintenance might cost you, the table below shows estimates for various maintenance services for Mercedes C300 vehicles.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | $49 to $72 |
| Oil and filter change | $177 to $212 |
| Spark plug replacement | $272 to $354 |
Mercedes maintenance schedule
Mercedes-Benz splits its recommended maintenance services between a Service A schedule and a 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 1 year or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Service A
Every 1 year or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first, then every 2 years or 20,000 miles thereafter.
- Engine oil and filter replacement
- Fluid level checks
- Tire inflation checks
- Brake inspections
- Reset maintenance counter
Service B
Every 1 year or 20,000 miles after previous service, then every 2 years or 20,000 miles thereafter.
- Engine oil and filter replacement
- Cabin filter replacement
- Fluid level checks
- Tire inflation checks
- Cabin dust/combination filter replacement
- Brake inspection
- Brake fluid exchange
- Reset maintenance counter
Pro tip
Maintenance schedules may vary across models, so it’s best to check your owner’s manual or speak with a local Mercedes-Benz technician if you aren’t sure what maintenance schedule to follow for your specific vehicle.
Scheduled maintenance for severe driving conditions
You’ll generally need to follow a more frequent maintenance schedule if your vehicle is subjected to severe operating conditions. Severe operating conditions generally include:
- Towing
- Frequent short trips (typically under 5 miles)
- Stop-and-go traffic
- Extreme temperatures
- Driving in dusty, sandy or hilly terrain
These types of conditions may accelerate the wear and tear on a vehicle's components, which can necessitate more frequent maintenance and sooner replacement of components like interior filters, spark plugs, coolant, engine air filters and more.
Mercedes repair costs
New Mercedes-Benz vehicles generally come with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. If your vehicle is still in its factory warranty period, you shouldn’t need to pay anything for covered repairs. After the factory warranty expires, you’ll need to pay for repair and maintenance costs out of pocket.
Ongoing repair costs can be hard to predict because they’re not needed on a predetermined schedule. However, you can get an idea of what to expect by looking up typical issues and costs online.
Example: Mercedes GLC 300
The table below shows some typical repair costs for a Mercedes GLC 300.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Head gasket replacement | $2,260 to $3,322 |
| Strut bearing replacement | $643 to $856 |
| Window regulator replacement | $719 to $1,048 |
Consumer repair experience
Some ConsumerAffairs reviewers have reported needing certain repairs for their Mercedes.
Bulus, a reviewer from Delaware, said: “My [Mercedes-Benz] S550 with [76,000] miles developed a [check engine] warning light. My local [dealership] is quoting more than [$11,000] to fix the problem. [...] No engine with [76,000] miles should require a balance shaft [and] exhaust cam repair requiring the engine to be removed from the vehicle.”
George, a reviewer from California, said they had a problem with their leased vehicle.
“On the drive home[,] [I] got [my] first error message and [I] noticed [a] busted subwoofer,” George said. “After that[,], engine lights. Then [the] engine lights again. Then [four] simultaneous error messages. Multiple knocking sounds. Overall, [my] [$189,000] car has been in the shop with 10 different issues for about 70 days. Customer service [...] [ignored] multiple calls and messages and multiple emails. Asked them multiple times to take [the] car back and they refused.”
How can an extended warranty help?
After the factory warranty ends, you’ll need to cover repair and maintenance costs. That’s where an extended warranty or a prepaid maintenance plan can help with upkeep costs. Extended warranties pay to fix breakdowns that result from wear and tear. Extended warranties differ from prepaid maintenance plans since they cover unexpected repairs rather than routine service.
Mercedes-Benz offers both prepaid maintenance plans and extended warranties, though you can also consider third-party extended warranties.
Mercedes extended warranties
Mercedes-Benz's Extended Limited Warranties are available to buy before your factory warranty expires. It offers one-, two- and three-year plans, plus coverage for up to 75,000 or 100,000 miles. These official Mercedes plans provide comprehensive coverage using genuine parts and authorized service centers.
Mercedes prepaid maintenance plans
Mercedes-Benz offers prepaid maintenance plans for new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. Its Premier Prepaid Maintenance plans for new vehicles are available in two-, three- and four-year plans, while its Star Prepaid Maintenance plans for CPO vehicles come in two- and three-year plans.
Prepaid maintenance plans cover scheduled services like oil changes, filter replacements and multipoint inspections every one year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Third-party extended warranties
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. Third-party plans may have lower monthly payments but could include service call fees, deductibles or restrictions on which repair shops you can use.
FAQ
How expensive is an oil change on a Mercedes?
Mercedes oil changes tend to cost more than oil changes for other vehicles because Mercedes generally require premium synthetic oil. Additionally, Mercedes engines typically hold more oil than typical vehicles, and dealership labor rates usually run higher due to specialized technician training and expertise.
Why are Mercedes expensive to maintain?
Mercedes are generally expensive to maintain because they require premium parts, synthetic oils and specialized expertise. Newer models under warranty can keep your out-of-pocket costs lower, while older vehicles with higher mileage often need pricier repairs.
Which is cheaper to maintain, BMW or Mercedes?
Mercedes tend to be cheaper to maintain than BMWs, according to RepairPal. Mercedes cost $908 per year in average maintenance and repair costs, whereas BMWs cost $968 per year on average for maintenance.
Are Mercedes reliable?
Mercedes vehicles tend to have below-average reliability, according to J.D. Power and RepairPal. In J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Mercedes ranked No. 23 out of 28 car brands and earned a score of 235 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which is far worse than the study average of 204 PP100. RepairPal also gave Mercedes 3 out of 5 stars for reliability, ranking it No. 27 out of 32 car brands.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Software Updates Become More Routine, but Fall Short on Perceived Benefit, JD Power Finds.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz Reliability Rating.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz C300 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Audi Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “BMW Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Ford Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Volkswagen Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz C300 Spark Plug Replacement Cost.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz C300 Oil Change Cost.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Mercedes-Benz C300 Tire Rotation Cost.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
