Comparison of Mercedes B-Class used cars: Only one generation is a real insider tip

Some cars lead a rather inconspicuous existence, rarely becoming the object of passionate passion, but reveal unsuspected talents upon closer inspection. The Mercedes B-Class undoubtedly belongs to this species. While the automotive world has been heeding the call of SUVs for years, and even traditional compact vans like the Renault Scénic or Opel Zafira have disappeared from the market, Mercedes, as things stand, also plans to discontinue the B-Class in 2026. However, this represents an opportunity for the used car market: Here, the so-called "Sports Tourer" or "Compact Sports Tourer," as Mercedes once called it, is emerging as a secret star, offering many of the advantages of modern SUVs and even surpassing them in some areas. So why spend more money for less space in an SUV that also incurs higher maintenance costs? The B-Class, especially the later generations, shines with ample space, high variability, impressively low fuel consumption, and a typical Mercedes quality feel that is often sought in vain in this segment. Its practical utility, comfortable, high entry, and excellent visibility make it the ideal everyday companion, one that doesn't have to hide behind the "main car" but rather becomes the star of the show. We take a detailed look at the three previous generations and clarify which is the best choice for which purpose. Let's take a closer look at the advantages of this "Swiss Army knife on wheels," which can serve us faithfully for many years to come.

The first Mercedes B-Class, known internally as the T 245 and produced from mid-2005 to mid-2011, was a groundbreaking vehicle. It adopted the A-Class's innovative sandwich construction with a transversely mounted front engine and front-wheel drive. This concept envisaged pushing the engine and transmission under the car's floor in the event of a severe frontal collision, thus providing optimal protection for the occupants. Furthermore, the raised floor was intended to provide space for batteries for a future electric drive, although this concept had not yet been fully developed at the time. With a length of 4.27 meters, the B-Class already offered five full-size seats and a level of space that was in no way inferior to larger sedans and station wagons. The trunk held 390 liters, or 700 liters with the rear seat folded down, supplemented by an additional 65 liters of storage space under the interior floor. At the time, this was even more than in some Opel Zafira or VW Touran, despite the more compact exterior dimensions. The T 245 was powered by various four-cylinder engines, including fuel-efficient diesel units and gasoline engines, some of which met the Euro 5 standard. A revised version was launched in June 2008. Until production ceased, Mercedes sold over 700,000 vehicles worldwide, one-third of which were in the German market.

But as advanced as the concept was, the first generation had to contend with some glaring weaknesses that diminished its appeal as a used car. The biggest Achilles heel was undoubtedly rust . The B-Class of the T 245 series was prone to severe rust penetration, particularly along the edges and beneath the body sealant, such as on the doors or underbody. Another serious problem was the continuously variable automatic transmission, the so-called Autotronic (CVT) . This transmission was notoriously prone to expensive damage to the transmission control system. Due to the angled installation position of the drive block, combined with the complex sandwich construction, replacing the transmission was extremely complex and expensive. For this reason, automatic versions of this generation are strongly discouraged . Another small but annoying detail that we are familiar with concerns the interior: the soft-touch paint used tends to become sticky with age and wear unsightly, which can detract from the otherwise good impression of quality. However, anyone who finds a rust-free example with a manual transmission—a real rarity given the problems at the time—will get a solid vehicle at an absolute bargain price. However, this requires an extremely careful and detailed inspection before purchase.

With the second generation of the B-Class, internally known as the W 246 (although the code W 242 also exists internally), which launched in November 2011, Mercedes corrected many of its predecessor's teething issues. While the double sandwich floor concept was abandoned, resulting in slightly less outstanding interior space, the B-Class remained extremely spacious. Indeed, despite the dimensions of a compact car, the W 246 offers a level of space that in some respects even rivals the unrivaled cargo space of the E-Class station wagon. This is achieved through a wealth of clever variability solutions: The rear seats can not only be easily folded down, but their angle can also be adjusted and split into two sections. A folding passenger seat backrest allows for the transport of all kinds of bulky items, while an adjustable trunk floor and the generous tailgate opening facilitate loading. The airy feeling of space in the interior surpasses many of today's compact cars with SUV stature.

The W 246 series also boasts outstanding economy. Its extremely aerodynamic body, with a drag coefficient of 0.26, is unmatched in this segment and contributes significantly to extremely low fuel consumption: gasoline engines easily consume around six liters per 100 kilometers, while diesel engines consume around five liters per 100 kilometers. Maintenance costs, including taxes and insurance, are also moderate. The model series offered a wide range of drivetrains, from economical diesel and gasoline engines starting at 90 and 102 hp, respectively, to powerful 211 hp versions. All-wheel drive, a factory-fitted natural gas variant (B 200 NGT), and a rare electric version (B 250e with a range of up to 200 kilometers, whose electric motor is derived from the Tesla Model S) were also available.

What makes the W 246 generation a real insider tip is its premium feel at a bargain price . It conveys that typical Mercedes quality that is familiar from larger models: The rich sound when the doors close, the smooth click of the buttons, and excellent sound insulation contribute to a high level of haptic quality that sweetens everyday driving. The sophisticated infotainment system, which in later models even offered smartphone mirroring (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), and the good ergonomics are also impressive. The W 246 also performs pleasingly well in terms of reliability. Real trouble spots are hardly to be found. While there were isolated recalls for early gasoline engines (camshaft faults), these should have been resolved long ago. The dual-clutch transmission is considered to be structurally sound, but like any clutch system, is subject to inherent wear and tear. Overall, problems with the W 246 are usually due to use or wear and tear and are not fundamental defects. Well-equipped examples with less than 100,000 kilometers on the clock can be found for as little as €10,000 to €11,000, which is a real bargain considering the quality offered. This depreciation makes them an extremely attractive option on the used car market and offers significantly better value for money than their successors .

Mercedes unveiled the current, third generation of the B-Class, called the W 247, in December 2018. The compact van received a facelift in October 2022. The W 247 series continues the tradition of space miracles and continues to offer ample space for four people and luggage. A rear seat that can be moved by 14 centimeters, optional from summer 2019, combined with a folding passenger seat backrest, allows for an impressive through-loading length of over three meters. The high entry makes it popular, especially among older drivers. The chassis and steering of the W 247 convey a high degree of safety, even on fast motorway bends, without compromising comfort.

Under the hood are more modern drivetrains. The B 250 e Plug-in Hybrid, for example, combines a 1.3-liter four-cylinder combustion engine (160 hp) with an electric motor (109 hp) for a system output of 218 hp and 450 Newton meters of torque. The battery was enlarged as part of the model update, enabling an electric range of up to 83 kilometers (WLTP). The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the hybrid models and the seven-speed version in other variants are considered largely problem-free. Gasoline engines are mainly found as B 180 and B 200, while the 180 and 200 variants dominate among the diesels. The more powerful diesels use the modern OM 654, which, according to some sources, has reached considerable maturity and is said to have guaranteed mileages of 500,000 kilometers without opening the engine.

However, the modernization also brings with it some criticism. Operation, particularly of the fully digital instrument cluster and the sensitive touch surfaces in the steering wheel spokes, is often perceived as complicated and can take some getting used to. The hybrid's handling also sometimes displays a certain hesitancy when accelerating, and the engine sound can seem overpowering due to the exhaust system terminating beneath the front seats. Early examples with the two-liter diesel engine suffered, in extreme cases, problems due to damage to the timing drive. This is attributed to sensitivity to oil dilution caused by excessive idling or interrupted particulate filter regenerations. Potential buyers should be aware of this discrepancy and carefully review the maintenance history and any recalls (e.g., for turbocharger oil supply or seat adjustment). Other typical wear parts include bushings for the front wishbones, coupling rods, and strut support bearings. Despite this, the B-Class generally receives positive reviews from monitoring organizations such as the ADAC across all model years. The W 247 is the most expensive option on the used car market; well-preserved examples with five-digit mileage start at at least 18,500 euros, and hybrid models rarely go below 21,000 euros.

The Mercedes B-Class, in all its generations, is a prime example of a practical, spacious, and comfortable family car. However, choosing the right used car depends largely on personal preferences, budget, and willingness to accept potential weaknesses.

For the ultimate bargain hunter and collector with a passion for mechanics, the first generation (T 245) is a good option. The rule here is: only a rust-free model with a manual transmission is even recommended . Anyone willing to search meticulously and ignore the unsightly sticky soft-touch paint in the interior can snag a space miracle at an extremely reasonable price. The automatic versions are strongly discouraged due to their high susceptibility to repairs.

The second generation (W 246) is the secret star and our clear winner in terms of value for money . It offers outstanding space, excellent Mercedes quality, modern features, and overall high reliability at an extremely attractive used car price. For families, frequent drivers, or simply anyone looking for a practical, economical, and comfortable vehicle without the often overpriced SUV premium, the W 246 is the ideal choice and a real insider tip . It is robust, well-built, and represents an excellent "primary car" that also impresses on long journeys.

The third generation (W 247) is for those buyers who want the latest technology and a fresher design and are willing to pay a significantly higher price. It offers a state-of-the-art infotainment system and refined powertrains, but is not without its handling criticisms and potential problems with certain diesel engines (OM 654), as reported by some sources. Those who prefer the latest generation should be aware of its more complex operation. It continues to offer high levels of comfort and space, but at a premium price that doesn't quite match the better value of the second generation.

No matter which generation you choose: The Mercedes B-Class proves that in the age of SUVs there are still extremely sensible, practical and often underestimated alternatives that absolutely deserve to bear the star.