Things to know if you want to buy a Mercedes Class C W204.

The Mercedes Classe C W204 is a car with great charm and robust engines, but it has specific critical points that one should be aware of if deciding to buy a used one. The main issue is the rear subframe that rusts and collapses. The metal can perforate to the point of failure, causing the rear end to wobble. To check this particular issue, we need to put the car on a lift and look for holes and dark areas, especially on the front side of the subframe, where salt and moisture accumulate. The metal brake lines, running under the vehicle, rust quickly and can lose pressure. There may also be problems with the electronic steering lock; on diesel engines OM651, the pulley bearing can make a noise similar to chirping and can seize, breaking the belt and causing severe damage. The turbo and the EGR valve are subject to wear after 150,000 km. For gasoline engines M271, the chain tensioner and the sprockets are made of plastic and can wear out. When cold, they make a metallic noise, and in extreme cases, they can skip, causing catastrophic damage, so we need to check the maintenance history. We should check that there are no ABS/ESP warning lights on. A classic issue is a burnt windshield wiper motor; and the air conditioning fan that only works on maximum. The rear wheel arches, the lower edge of the tailgate, and the front fenders tend to rust. The glossy plastic on the center tunnel scratches easily, and the seats tend to crack on the sides. If the headlights are Xenon, the rear self-leveling levers break easily, causing the error "Adaptive Headlight Malfunction.