Mercedes-Benz Problems

A bushing is essentially a small rubber cylinder filled with fluid which you'll find in the wheel wells of the front suspension of your Mercedes-Benz car. The issue link bushings most commonly face is wearing and splitting open, which prevents your suspension from working properly. 

Naturally, the older the vehicle, the more likely the bushings will crack open unexpectedly. If you notice your ride becoming a little bumpier or your tyres wear at different rates, cracking bushings are the most likely cause. 

Mercedes cars with between 60,000 to 100,000 miles on the clock are most prone to bushing issues. However, replacing them with the same bushings is not difficult.

Rust issues are the constant enemy of any manufacturer working with metal, and Mercedes-Benz is no exception. While newer Mercedes-Benz models are fairly good at warding off the dreaded rust, older models from the 90s and 2000s are prone to it in areas where they experience a lot of wear.

It is widely accepted that this is because Mercedes-Benz were trying to remain competitive at this time by using cheaper steel and less paint on their vehicles. 

This led to thinning in specific areas where they would accumulate rust and damage the metalwork. So if you're looking at a Mercedes of around this age, check around the wheel arches, underneath the footwells and in the door sills.

In older Mercedes cars, the manufacturer sought to solve the issue of vibrations coming from the engine by using solid rubber engine mounts. 

However, while this was a great system and solution to the vibration issue, this rubber tends to perish and break apart as the car ages. Hearing a clunking sound as you accelerate or feel more vibrations as you drive clearly shows that these engine mounts are failing.

Later models have oil-filled mounts, which work well, but again tend to break apart and leak all the fluid towards 100,000 miles. 

Luckily, these mounts are not expensive to replace. You may also want to watch out for overheating in hot regions, which can damage Mercedes-Benz harness wiring or oil leaks from the oil pressure switch. 

Most premium car brands suffer from electric window problems, so it is not exclusive to Mercedes vehicles. 

Other German car brands, such as Audi and BMW, also suffer from this issue - along with many other famous brands.

You will typically find that the pulleys in the window regulator are the first to wear and detach themselves. If the windows are slow to open or don't open at all, then this is likely the issue you're dealing with.

Mercedes introduced air suspension as an innovative solution to the ride comfort of pre-2000s Mercedes-Benz cars. However, while this system does provide a truly comfortable ride, it isn't entirely free of annoying problems. 

Failing air suspension bags or faulty relays are common. The struts at one corner of the car could fail entirely, as could the tie rods, axle seals, ball joints or sway bar links, leaving you with a lopsided Mercedes.

This can pose a serious threat, and you should have your air suspension relays repaired as soon as you notice there is an issue. It may only be a subtle or unnoticeable problem, to begin with, but slow leaks over extended periods can even damage the compressor in your suspension system.

This is also true for those with electro-hydraulic braking systems, which can leak hydraulic fluid, which proves extremely hazardous in emergency braking situations. 

It is also just as disastrous if your SBC system fails. Having your brakes regularly maintained and repaired is extremely vital to keep you and your family safe. 

While this isn't as catastrophic as other issues in this list, it is common to find catalytic converters failing on Mercedes cars after just 60,000 miles, which is quite early. While it isn't a major issue, it is expensive to replace a catalytic converter.

Signs of a problem include slow acceleration, engine misfiring and other general issues with performance. When testing a used Mercedes-Benz, listen out for engine misfires to diagnose the issue. 

The automatic gearbox from Mercedes-Benz is actually one of the better ones out there. However, the valve body, 13-pin connector and selector module aren't, which is where the issues arise.

These components can lead to shifting issues, such as missing gears, which aren't a major problem and can easily be fixed. When purchasing an automatic Mercedes-Benz, try shifting from the park position to drive a few times to see if the transmission is operating properly.

Mercedes-Benz cars also suffer from starting issues arising from the crank sensor control module. This sensor checks whether the engine is at the "top dead centre" (TDC) position. 

Given that this sensor has a tendency to fail, the engine may not be able to turn over since it thinks the crank isn't aligned properly.

You'll notice the car not starting once in a while, but this will gradually become more frequent. If you are viewing the car with a mind to buy it, try and see your chosen Merc when it has a cold engine to see how it starts. 

It can be tricky to see if there are any serious issues with just one look, but you may be able to spot the early signs of a problem.

Like their gearboxes, Mercedes-Benz makes some of the best engines around. But owners have noted some firing issues once they get past 100,000 miles. Replacing coils and spark plugs is common for any vehicle, alongside general wear and tear.

Still, these repairs and replacements are more common in Mercedes vehicles around the earlier benchmark of 60,000 miles.