Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £19,672 to £51,570
Agile handling, driving position, quietness at speed, clever electronic controls and features, indicator repeaters built into door mirrors, big glovebox
Foot-operated parking brake, cheap, hard plastics in facia, hard ride on optional low-profile tyres, baffling array of buttons
The C-Class is a (relatively) affordable way into Mercedes ownership without compromising on the key Mercedes qualities and characteristics.
Mercedes' reputation for over-engineering and bullet-proof build quality has slipped a bit with this model. Early cars have suffered from a number of quality defects and electric or electronic problems, with some less-than-satisfied owners. Many had very poor, thin paintwork, a result of Mercedes switching from lead- to water-based paint, prone to stone chipping and easily damaged. Things have tightened up and improved since, however, and the early glitches in the ECUs seem to have been ironed out now - the C-Class should be back on track, and should live up to the brand's reputation for longevity. But if you're in any doubt, there's a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty and, under the Mobilo-life scheme, anti-corrosion protection and breakdown recovery is provided for an amazing 30 years.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes C-Class
wrote on 14 11 2006