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MERCEDES B-CLASS (2012)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 11,092 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,475

£123/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £1475/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1596cc14 years old11,092 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1596cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1596cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,475
Per month£123/mo
Per week£28/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 14 years old, 81% of MERCEDES B-CLASSs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 11,092 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,827 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars362th of 685(top 53%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1033th of 1,408(top 73%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average+3%(78% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,827

Average miles

vs

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS has 83,827 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2012 sits between the two at 81%.

MERCEDES B-CLASS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202098%4723,364 mi
201993%91229,781 mi
201890%6,72939,021 mi
201788%9,69348,392 mi
201687%9,65755,381 mi
201586%9,87164,066 mi
201483%15,38272,344 mi
201382%13,42178,118 mi
201281%11,09283,827 mi
201173%6,77984,302 mi
201074%8,81990,612 mi
200974%8,27795,335 mi
200871%6,925100,673 mi
200772%5,184101,539 mi
200671%4,235103,535 mi
200573%805105,799 mi

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About the 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS

The 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS is a small family car with a 1596cc diesel engine. 11,092 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 83,827 miles at 14 years old, MERCEDES B-CLASS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 1596cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,475 123/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES B-CLASS Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES B-CLASSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS

At 14 years old, the MERCEDES B-CLASS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 11,092 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 84k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 MERCEDES B-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES B-CLASS(2012)81%£905£165Grp 12-25£1475
FORD FIESTA(2013)77%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490+£15
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)87%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£30
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£252
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2014)80%£905£30Grp 5-15£1340-£135

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mercedes Models

Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes B-class.

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