Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes B-Class MPV (2012-2018) - Reliability & safety

The Mercedes B-Class should be a reliable car, and it’s definitely a safe one

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

Mercedes B-Class reliability

Mercedes has done well in previous Driver Power customer satisfaction surveys, but 2018 saw it finish in 20th place (out of 26 brands), with a 17th-place result for reliability.

The last time the B-Class itself appeared in the survey was 2014, when it came a rather disappointing 122nd out of 150 cars. Our own impression is that the B-Class is built solidly, with trim that should last well, although we found some of the plastics lower down in the interior feel a little cheap.

Safety

The B-Class scored the full five stars in 2011 Euro NCAP crash-tests, including 97% for adult occupant protection and 81% for child occupant protection. It’s worth noting that the test has been made tougher since 2011, so there’s no guarantee the B-Class is as safe as a five-star car tested in the past couple of years.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There's plenty of standard safety equipment on all B-Class models, though, including Collision Prevention Assist, which automatically brakes the car if it senses an imminent collision. There's also electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, ISOFIX child-seat mounts in the rear and seven airbags – including a knee airbag for the driver.

An optional lane-keeping assistance system helps you stay between the white lines – to the extent that it'll vibrate the steering wheel if you fail to indicate when changing lanes.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best people carriers and MPVs 2024
Best MPVs hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best people carriers and MPVs 2024

Most Popular

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
4 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

The best-selling cars in the UK 2024
Best-selling cars in the UK 2024
Best cars
4 Oct 2024

The best-selling cars in the UK 2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024