Mercedes-Benz Maintenance: Cost, Repairs and Schedule
Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s preeminent luxury automakers, with roots that stretch back over 100 years. Even so, the company’s products are not without their flaws, and the cost of repairing these vehicles can become burdensome for many owners. Mercedes offers a factory-backed extended warranty plan that can greatly reduce the cost of ownership and repairs, but it comes with its own costs. We’ve gathered information on the Mercedes-Benz extended warranty to help you understand the costs and benefits, to help you determine if it’s worth investing in an extended warranty for your Mercedes.
Popular Warranty Providers
Mercedes-Benz Cost and Maintenance
Mercedes-Benz ranks way down the list in J.D. Power’s 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study, and the organization recorded more problems per 100 vehicles for Mercedes than Jaguar, BMW, and many other competing luxury brands. Some models performed better than others, as the GLA was one of the better small premium SUVs in the study, but overall the brand doesn’t have a great score for reliability. Additionally, repair costs reach nearly $1,000 a year on average for the brand.
Mercedes-Benz Offerings - What is Included
Mercedes backs its vehicles with a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, but owners can extend that coverage with one of the automaker’s plans. Depending on the model, the company offers up to 84 months of coverage above and beyond the factory warranty.
Mileage limits for the coverage extend to 100,000 total miles. The extended limited warranty must be purchased any time before the factory warranty coverage expires, and owners can choose to pre-pay the entire cost up front or work out a payment plan that includes coverage in the monthly payment.
The warranty coverage does not require a deductible and covers parts and labor for repairs of:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Supercharger/Turbocharger
- AWD components
- Cooling system
- Audio and infotainment functions
- More
Mercedes-Benz Offerings - What is Not Included
Mercedes’ warranty coverage includes several vehicle systems and components, and can also provide roadside assistance in many situations. It does not, however, cover damage caused by collisions or the environment. The warranty will also not cover wear items, such as the battery, tires, and brakes. While some plans may be available with maintenance plans that cover routine work, the standard Mercedes extended warranty does not. Mercedes-Benz Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Service Recommendations by Mileage Chart
| Service | Miles | Time Frame |
|---|
Typical Costs For Routine Maintenance Jobs
| Maintenance Job | Approximate Cost Range |
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Wear Items and Various Inspections
| Wear Item Service | Estimated Interval Miles | Budget Cost Range |
|---|
Common Vehicle Repair Examples
| Common Repair Type | Approximate Cost (varies by make and model) |
|---|
Should I Buy a Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Plan?
We’ll never tell you not to buy an extended warranty or maintenance plan if it helps you be more comfortable as a Mercedes-Benz owner. That said, some aftermarket warranties offer equivalent coverage and may be less expensive. It’s also important to consider your driving style, the vehicle’s condition, and your budget. You might find that your Mercedes is new enough (or old enough) that paying extra for coverage isn’t worth it.
How Much Does a Mercedes-Benz Prepaid Maintenance Plan Cost?
Mercedes-Benz offers a prepaid maintenance plan for their drivers, although the cost of this is not readily available. Mercedes recommends contacting your local dealer for a quote. The cost of the maintenance plan can be paid up front in one lump sum, or it can be folded into your monthly payments, when you purchase your vehicle.
| Mileage | Time Frame | Plan Length |
|---|
How Much Does a Mercedes-Benz Warranty Plan Cost?
Mercedes does not share the cost of its extended warranty plans. Owners report paying up to $7,500 for the coverage, however, and some models cost more to cover than others. That sounds like a lot, but consider that an engine replacement for a newer C300 can cost more than $6,000, and other in-depth repairs can add up quickly.
Common Mercedes-Benz Problems and Repairs
Mercedes owners report issues with the engine and cooling systems, electrical systems, adaptive suspension, and exterior trim pieces. It’s important to remember that many of the reported problems are related to older models with higher mileage. It can be easy to get sucked into reading negative reviews, and hearing other owners’ bad experiences can be a major turnoff, but it’s good to note that many of the problems occur in limited situations, and may not translate to the larger population of Mercedes vehicles.
Is a Mercedes-Benz Extended Warranty Worth It?
Mercedes’ extended warranty plans can be worth it for the right vehicle owner. If you plan to own your Mercedes-Benz for a while and want to keep it on the road without spending your life savings, a warranty plan is a good idea. However, if you own a brand-new car and don’t want to keep it past the factory warranty period, the cost and hassle of an extended warranty might not be advantageous to you.
Our Recommendations
We recommend maintaining warranty coverage for your Mercedes, unless you’re comfortable with out-of-pocket repair costs. If you’re shopping for used cars, it’s vital that you get a pre-purchase inspection to rule out pre-existing defects, and that you can verify the vehicle’s maintenance history.
CARCHEX is one of the largest, most highly-rated providers of vehicle extended warranties in the market. They have been a trusted name in the business for 20 years.
autopom! is well known in the industry for customer service and responsiveness. The company works directly with 2600 certified repair facilities and has a dedicated customer advocacy program.
Endurance Extended Car Warranty company is one of the most popular and trusted providers in the business. Endurance coverage is accepted at any dealership and at any ASE-certified mechanic, and features a 30-day money back guarantee.
Our Methodology For Best Warranty Providers
Car Talk has spent the last two years diving deeply into the warranties industry for the benefit of our readership and long-time listeners. Our process for deciding on the best warranty companies is exceptionally thorough, involving in-depth research and our unique secret shopper initiative. We compiled over 50 data points across all reviewed companies to refine and inform our selection process. Car Talk reviewed the following important criteria for each company:
- Consumer Satisfaction: Cross referencing multiple trusted resources to pull our fair and balanced customer reviews.
- Cost: Utilizing our secret shopper initiative, we got comparable quotes across all companies so we can validly compare pricing.
- Coverage and Offerings: Our research team delved into the coverage and offerings for each company, comparing what is available, including extras and discounts.
- Official Ratings: We consulted a wide range of verified review sites to extrapolate a ratings score for each.
Read more on the Best Extended Warranties in the industry here.
