Before you buy a used Mercedes-Benz CLA (C118) / GLA (H247) / GLB.
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

The essentials.
- 5 documented, sourced faults across its 5 engines.
- 4 of them depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 1 official recall on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm it has been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 250 e (Plug-in hybrid).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.
- Period mentioned
- 2019 onwards
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: The guide covers the CLA C118; the GLA H247 and GLB use the same 7G-DCT gearbox and base.
- Intermittent no start, with the engine light and several warnings, caused by the 8G-DCT wake-up line (CLA, GLA and GLB)Electrical and electronic systems
- Period mentioned
- Model years 2024 onwards (US)
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: US bulletin (XENTRY LI27.19-P-080869) for the CLA (118), GLA and GLB (247) from model year 2024 with the 8G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox; in Europe, ask the dealer.
- Assist systems not available messages caused by a steering wheel hands-on detection fault (Mercedes-Benz from 2020)Driver assistance
- Period mentioned
- Built from 2020
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: US bulletin (XENTRY LI46.10-P-078012) for Mercedes-Benz cars with a capacitive steering wheel (code 266) built from 2020; in Europe, ask the dealer.
180 / 200 / 250 (M282/M260) · 35 AMG (M260, 2.0) · 45 S AMG (M139, 2.0)
Petrol
- Transmission fault message and shift to neutral from a false overvoltage (8G-DCT of the A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB 2021–2023)Automatic gearbox
- Period mentioned
- 2021–2023 (US model years)
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: US bulletin (XENTRY LI27.19-P-080823) for model years 2021 to 2023 with the 8G-DCT transmission (724.1); in Europe, ask the dealer.
180 d / 200 d / 220 d (OM608/OM654)
Diesel
- Renault 1.5 diesel (OM607/OM608) injectors, EGR and DPFInjection / EGR / DPF
- Period mentioned
- 2012–2026
- Mileage mentioned
- 60,000–100,000 km
250 e
Plug-in hybrid
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 180 / 200 / 250 (M282/M260)Petrol | 44 with conditions | 1 |
| 180 d / 200 d / 220 d (OM608/OM654)Diesel | 43 with conditions | 0 |
| 250 ePlug-in hybridFewest documented | 33 with conditions | 1 |
| 35 AMG (M260, 2.0)Petrol | 44 with conditions | 1 |
| 45 S AMG (M139, 2.0)Petrol | 44 with conditions | 1 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 250 e (Plug-in hybrid).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Plug-in hybrid.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Mercedes-Benz dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Recall: electric steering backup functionSteering
Engines: 180 / 200 / 250 (M282/M260) (Petrol) · 250 e (Plug-in hybrid) · 35 AMG (M260, 2.0) (Petrol) · 45 S AMG (M139, 2.0) (Petrol)
How to check it: Check VIN; update steering software.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 5 checked
Injection / EGR / DPF
Look out for: Smoke, hesitation or hard starting (injectors); unstable idle, power loss and engine light (EGR); particulate filter warning in town use; oil consumption.
Ask them to check: Identify the engine (OM607 until 2018, OM608 after), measure injector balance rates, check the EGR and particulate filter status and watch the oil level.
Gearbox
Look out for: Noises from the 7G-DCT (whine, hum, clunks) and jerks when shifting or pulling away; a clutch that wears faster with short trips or towing.
Ask them to check: Ask for the gearbox software update; check the campaigns by VIN.
Electrical and electronic systems
Look out for: Now and then the car will not start, with the engine warning light on and several warning messages on the cluster.
Ask them to check: Ask the garage to read the gearbox fault memory and, if P24F100 appears, to apply note LI27.19-P-080869 (SCN coding of the EZS) before replacing the gearbox control unit or the battery.
Driver assistance
Look out for: Messages on the cluster: "Active Emergency Stop Assist not available", "Active Lane Keeping Assist not available" or "Active steering assist not available".
Ask them to check: Ask the garage to apply note LI46.10-P-078012: do not replace the HOSWD control unit, update its software and check the steering wheel contacts, wires and ground connections.
Automatic gearbox
Look out for: Transmission fault message, engine warning light on and the gearbox shifts into neutral (N); the fault disappears after switching off and restarting.
Ask them to check: Ask the workshop to check whether code P056300 was stored with a voltage of 15.75 to 16.5 V and update the transmission software according to note LI27.19-P-080823.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Renault 1.5 diesel (OM607/OM608) injectors, EGR and DPF
- 7G-DCT gearbox and campaigns on the CLA, GLA and GLB (from 2019)
- Intermittent no start, with the engine light and several warnings, caused by the 8G-DCT wake-up line (CLA, GLA and GLB)
- Assist systems not available messages caused by a steering wheel hands-on detection fault (Mercedes-Benz from 2020)
- Transmission fault message and shift to neutral from a false overvoltage (8G-DCT of the A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB 2021–2023)
- Recall: electric steering backup function
More Mercedes-Benz buying guides
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