Used Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2005 - 2012 review

Tall, and slightly geeky looking, the Mercedes B-Class is a car that you buy for its spacious interior rather than its exterior design, or the way it drives.

It’s shorter and easier to park than most family cars, yet it has enough rear leg room to make a Mercedes S-Class limousine feel a bit cramped.

True, there’s no seven-seat option, which is a little disappointing, but there’s more room for luggage than there is in most contemporary estates and MPVs.

Instead, the B-Class’s biggest failing is in the way it drives. The steering is dull, so it’s no fun, and the ride is unsettled over most surfaces.

At least some of the engines are good, with the punchy, frugal B 200 CDI diesel being the pick of the range, but be sure to go for a car that has the optional automatic gearbox, because the manual that came as standard is horribly vague.

The B-Class tends to hold its value well, a reflection of both the strength of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the fact that it makes a spacious family car.

Even a 2005 model could set you back as much as £2500, although there are some high-milers out there for less than £2000.

More desirable models, in particular cars built following the 2008 face-lift, can easily top £4500, while 2011 diesel automatics with a high specification still creep up to as much as £10,000.

The B 200 CDI’s 136g/km CO2 emissions and official average of 54mpg make it by far the most cost-effective B-Class to run.

By contrast, the basic 1.5-litre B 150 is underpowered, so you have to work it hard on the motorway and fuel economy suffers.

There was a sporting 195bhp B 200 Turbo model, but that will struggle to break 30mpg and the B-Class’s uninspiring handling means it’s hardly worth the extra costs involved.

Parts and servicing can both be very expensive, right across the Mercedes range, so you’re best off using a reputable independent marque specialist for maintenance, rather than going to a Mercedes main dealer.

CAP Derwent data for the B-Class shows that it’s worse than average for using up brake fluid and brake pads, as well as wiper blades. And you should check the front brake discs, because these can be prone to premature wear and may need replacing.

The 2.0-litre diesel unit in the B 200 CDI is the pick of the engine range for more than one reason, but primarily for its low fuel consumption and emissions. In fact, it's the only engine in the old B-Class range that’s competitive with more modern units in its carbon emissions.

Basic spec models were just that – very basic – and Mercedes always charged quite a lot for options, so even an SE or Sport model may well feel a bit bare compared with more modern cars.

SE spec is the one to go for, though, because it doesn’t come with the larger alloy wheels of the Sport; these might look good, but they seriously detract from overall ride comfort. SE cars also usually come with lighter interior colours, which enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

Our favourite used Mercedes B-Class: B 200 CDI SE

The Mercedes B-Class never had a direct premium badge rival until BMW launched the 2 Series Active Tourer in 2015, but that’s far too new a model to be considered as an alternative to a used B-Class.

The rivals, then, come from the ranks of the mass-market MPVs. Ford’s C-Max and Grand C-Max combine good interior space with much sharper handling than that of the B-Class, and with seven seats in the Grand C-Max.

Likewise, the first-generation VW Touran is available with seven seats, although you’re better off going for a post-2010 facelift model, because that brought in the 1.6 TDI diesel engine and improved interior quality.

The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was launched in 2011, and while it’s larger than the B-Class (and has the requisite seven seats) you could easily snap one up for a similar budget to that of a mid-life B-Class. Its much better to drive than the Mercedes, too.

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