The Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W245) is a premium compact MPV that adopts the innovative "sandwich" architecture of the A-Class (W169). This double floor allows energy absorption in the event of a frontal collision (the engine slides under the passenger compartment) and offers exceptional interior space for a 4.27 m vehicle. However, this design makes mechanical accessibility catastrophic, driving up labor costs for simple operations (such as starter replacement). The 2008 facelift corrected many early defects, including corrosion problems on the openings, and improved the interior finish. The overall reliability score is average, weighed down by the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT Autotronic) and maintenance costs, although the gasoline engines are intrinsically very robust.
The Mercedes B-Class W245 is a paradoxical vehicle. Its gasoline engines (M266) are models of robustness, capable of exceeding 300,000 km without flinching. However, the sandwich architecture turns the slightest peripheral breakdown (starter, alternator, AC compressor) into a financial nightmare due to the necessary labor hours. Furthermore, the automatic CVT gearbox is a sword of Damocles. Buying advice: Absolutely prioritize a gasoline model (B170/B180 or B200) with a manual gearbox, and imperatively post-facelift (after mid-2008) to avoid rust issues. Avoid models equipped with the CVT gearbox without a perfect maintenance history, as well as non-functional slat sunroofs.