Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) Review

Mercedes-Benz B-Class
B180 SE 5dr
£11,890

View Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars for sale

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) At A Glance

Raised driving position, lots of interior room, decent diesel engines, good ride quality on smaller wheels.

Not good enough for the money, steering feels too artificial, problematic CVT automatic gearboxes, lacklustre petrol engines.

Insurance Groups are between 13–21
On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

Mercedes Benz B170 2006 Road Test

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Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) handling and engines

Engines range from B160 BlueEfficiency to B200 Turbo
Readers report Real MPG to be between 25–56 mpg

Seat and steering wheel are fully adjustable in all directions. The controls are all quite light, especially the steering (on Michelin Energy 205/55 R16 tyres). The manual B170 petrol comes with a 5-speed box, though most buyers will pay £1,390 extra to get the seven ratio ZF CVT Autotronic also available in the A Class and Ford Focus and C-Max 1.6 TDCIs.

That light feeling translates to the way the car handles. It's effortless, a quality much appreciated and even needed by some drivers. At low speeds the handling is viceless. Though at speed the lightness and lack of ‘feel' conspire with the shape of the body to demand constant attention, especially in crosswinds on the motorway. Ride quality is good and "speed cushions" absorbed reasonably well.

Despite only 116bhp, the optional Speedtronic cruise control works simply and is well worth the extra £205 now that many road works limits are enforced by SPECS average speed cameras. Speedtronic also includes a maximum speed limiter.

I got a very average 34.55mpg measured brim to brim over 222 miles. It's very difficult to get excited about the B-Class. The luggage capacity and practicality are definitely better than a Golf or a Focus, for example, though on a par with a Golf Plus or C-Max. The fact that, like the A-Class, you sit fairly high is a definite bonus in side-impact accidents. The fit and finish is good. Even cubbyholes are properly trimmed. But list prices are very stiff.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
B150	43 mpg	13.2 s	158–163 g/km
B150 BlueEfficiency	46 mpg	13.2 s	148–154 g/km
B160 Autotronic	40 mpg	14.2 s	168–173 g/km
B160 BlueEfficiency	44 mpg	13.2 s	149–152 g/km
B170	42 mpg	11.3 s	163–171 g/km
B170 BlueEfficiency	44 mpg	11.3 s	152–156 g/km
B180 BlueEfficiency	46–48 mpg	10.4 s	137–144 g/km
B180 CDI	63–69 mpg	11.6 s	108–117 g/km
B200 CDI	61–64 mpg	9.5 s	114–121 g/km

Real MPG average for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

75%

Real MPG

25–56 mpg

MPGs submitted

228

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) interior

Boot space is 488–1547 litres
Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4270–4359 mm
Width	1777–2010 mm
Height	1557–1603 mm
Wheelbase	2699–2778 mm
Full specifications

The interior is quite versatile. The basic luggage area is rectangular. The rear seats tuck and fold 2/3:1/3. The passenger seatback folds forward onto its squab allowing transportation of objects up to 2,950mm (nine feet) long. My car had the £205 ‘Easy Vario' option of a removable passenger seat and removable rear seat cushions and backrests giving it the capacity of a small van.

For the amount of safety equipment on board it's surprising that the B-Class has not been Euro NCAP tested, though the five stars of its smaller sister, the A-Class, are reassuring.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2005 – 2012) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4270–4359 mm
Width	1777–2010 mm
Height	1557–1603 mm
Wheelbase	2699–2778 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1300–1475 kg
Boot Space	488–1547 L
Warranty	3 years / Unlimited miles
Servicing	15500 miles

Spare Wheel
Standard	Tyre-repair kit

Costs
List Price	£17,710–£25,425
Insurance Groups	13–21
Road Tax Bands	B–H
Official MPG	33.6–68.9 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	5
Child	4
Pedestrian	2
Overall	5

On sale until January 2015

MPV
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
B 180 CDI Sport 109 5dr	£24,075	62.8 mpg	11.6 s
B 180 SE 122 5dr	£22,020	47.9 mpg	10.4 s
B 180 Sport 122 5dr	£23,335	45.6 mpg	10.4 s
B 200 CDI Sport 136 5dr	£25,425	61.4 mpg	9.5 s

On sale until April 2014

MPV
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
B 180 CDI SE 5dr	£22,775	68.9 mpg	11.6 s
B 200 CDI SE 5dr	£24,125	64.2 mpg	9.5 s

On sale until December 2011

People Carrier
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
B 160 BlueEFFICIENCY SE 5dr	£19,640	44.1 mpg	13.2 s
B 160 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr	£19,985	44.1 mpg	13.2 s
B 160 SE Autotronic 5dr	£21,200	39.8 mpg	14.2 s
B 160 Sport Autotronic 5dr	£21,510	39.8 mpg	14.2 s

On sale until May 2009

People Carrier
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
B 150 BlueEFFICIENCY SE 5dr	£18,424	45.6 mpg	13.2 s
B 150 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr	£18,449	45.6 mpg	13.2 s
B 150 SE 5dr	£18,449	42.8 mpg	13.2 s
B 150 SE 5dr Auto	£18,449	-	-
B 150 Sport 5dr	£18,449	42.8 mpg	13.2 s
B 150 Sport 5dr Auto	£18,449	-	-
B 170 BlueEFFICIENCY SE 5dr	£19,712	44.1 mpg	11.3 s
B 170 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr	£19,712	44.1 mpg	11.3 s
B 170 SE 5dr	£19,712	41.5 mpg	11.3 s
B 170 SE 5dr Auto	£19,712	-	-
B 170 Sport 5dr	£19,737	41.5 mpg	11.3 s
B 170 Sport 5dr Auto	£19,737	-	-

On sale until April 2008

People Carrier
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
B 150 5dr	£17,710	-	-
B 150 5dr Auto	£17,710	-	-
B 170 5dr	£19,000	-	-
B 170 5dr Auto	£19,000	-	-
B 180 CDI 5dr	£19,720	-	-
B 180 CDI 5dr Auto	£19,720	-	-
B 200 SE 5dr	£21,275	-	-
B 200 SE 5dr Auto	£21,275	-	-
B 200 Turbo 5dr	£23,680	-	-
B 200 Turbo 5dr Auto	£23,680	-	-

Model History

February 2005: Mercedes-Benz B-Class unveiled
July 2008: B-Class revised

February 2005

Mercedes-Benz B-Class unveiled

Sits in between A Class and C Class. 4,270mm long x 1,777mm wide by 1,604mm high. Long wheelbase of 2,778mm gives generous rear legroom.

Same sandwich floor construction as A Class. Same parabolic rear suspension as 2nd generation A Class. Same engine range as A Class with 200 Turbo from the start. 5 or 6 speed manual transmissions or Autotronic 7 ratio CVTs available with all engines. Rear seats fold flat easily without removing headrests. Plenty of room in the back.

July 2008

B-Class revised

For Spring 2008 Mercedes overhauled the design and engineering of the B-Class. The facelift focused on environmental compatibility, economic efficiency and comfort. Engines now burn up to seven percent less fuel than previously with low exhaust emissions.

Mercedes-Benz has developed a new ECO start/stop function for the B 150 and B 170 models. This switches off the engine when stopped at traffic lights, for example, producing a fuel saving of up to nine percent in practical use. Additional new developments include active parking assist which helps drivers to both find a suitable parking spot, and then manoeuvre into it.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

If water pump retaining bolts work loose (which can happen) it's an engine out job to get at them.

16-04-2010:

First report of failure of Autotronic CVT autobox in an A or B Class received. Car was a B200CDI SE auto, purchased 14-7-2006, mileage 43,000. Quoted £5,355 AFTER a 25% contribution from Mercedes. (Possibly same ZF CF23 CVT at the Forc C-Max and Focus 1.6TDCI auto?)

Diesel engines used for repeated short runs from cold are prone to problems with the glowplugs that corrode into the cylinder head due to condensation.

Driveshaft problems emerging at around 5 years old.

18-08-2011:

Autotronic CVT valve bodies are starting to fail after 6 years and around 70k miles. Cost £1,250 to replace.

02-08-2012:

A/c condensers vulnerable to stone damage.

16-03-2014:

If bulkhead vent wells get blocked on a 2005-2012 B-Class, then the battery compartment also floods and, of course, the pollen filter will become sodden. These are £27 from a parts factor.

19-03-2015:

On 2005-2012 Mercedes B Class, seals around cabin vent flaps fitted between the load area and the sides of the bumper valences fail, leading to spare wheel well filling with water. A possible DIY fix once you buy the seals.

12-12-2016:

Repeat failure of EIS ignition switch module in 2011 Mercedes B200. Went dead and car would not start. EIS replaced at cost of £500. Then went deradf again and MB dealer at a loss how to fix. This link explains: http://www.ogsmechanics.com/tutorials-view/mercedes-eis-ezs-immobiliser-key-module/

04-09-2017:

Report of CVT transmission trouble in a 2011 Mercedes Benz B Class, this one at 30,000 miles. Has full MS service history. Automatic transmission went into racing mode, described by the mechanics as "a secondary speed sensor defect". The repair price quoted was £1,576.89, reduced to £1,439.68.

25-03-2018:

Report of Autotronic CVT of 2010 Mercedes Benz B-Class failing at 62,000 miles. Replacement cost quoted by MB dealer £4,200.

28-03-2018:

Historical report of water ingress to load area and spare wheel well of Mercedes Benz B Class. It had been coming in via broken one-way cabin vents between the load area and the rear bumper valence extensions. MB Guildford took 9 days to strip the load area and replace the vents. Customer eventually paid £1,200. (The vents could have been broken by rats chewing their way through to get at anything they thought might be edible in the load area.)

03-12-2019:

Report of engine air intake of 2009 Mercedes Benz 1.5 B160 Blue Efficiency (petrol) "blowing up" in France. Took 8 weeks to repatriate the car.