Mercedes-Benz Problems

Buying a smaller, new car would give you the certainty of a long warranty and the benefit of capped price servicing. You could consider a Kia Rio, for instance, which would have a 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

There could be any numbers of reasons for it cutting out, but there are two fundamental things that are needed for an engine to run, fuel and spark. You should check the ignition system, coil, plugs and leads, and also check the fuel supply, pump, filter and injectors.

I assume the noise you are unhappy with is road noise. You could try a Michelin tyre, which is probably your best option, but the tyres are run-flats, so you won't get a soft ride whatever the brand you fit.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman has told us that it will be available in the new model, but couldn’t say when that would be. If we get more info we’ll post it.

It depends on what you plan to do with it. If you want to tour along bush tracks it will do the job well, but if you want to drive down deeply rutted, rocky tracks then park it and get something better for that type of work.

If that’s what you want then look at a serious off-roader.

All Mercedes vehicles are tested in Europe and issued Type Approval certificates for each regulation. The relevant Type Approval certificate for GLC states that the maximum download is 100 kg.  The masses and capacities in this certificate are used for the Australian certification to GCM, towing capacity, dimensions, etc. Without local testing facilities or engineering department, the company must use the European figures, and cannot rerate vehicles locally.

From personal experience I would advise against buying an old Euro, they can be expensive.

They can be nice to drive, and it’s nice to have a prestigious brand in your driveway, but parts can be expensive if you need to repair them.

My dalliance wasn’t with a Mercedes, it was another European brand, but I was regularly forking out for repairs as one thing after another failed and I mean seriously spending money. The problem is that they all look like new on the outside, even when they’re clapped-out.

It would need to be low mileage, less than 100,000 km, properly serviced, should have no oil or water leaks, no exhaust smoke, the engine should be smooth running, and the transmission should be smooth and seamless in operation.

Servicing isn’t necessarily expensive if you avoid dealers and use an experienced specialist mechanic.

If it’s not getting hot it’s probably got a leak somewhere, and that shouldn’t be expensive to fix, but if it is getting hot it could be a leaking head gasket and fixing that could set you back quite a few bucks.