Mercedes B-Class MPV (2012-2018) - MPG, running costs & CO2
The Mercedes B-Class has diesel engines that offer excellent fuel economy for the class
The best all-round model in the Mercedes B-Class range is the B200d Exclusive Edition with a six-speed manual gearbox. It sits towards the lower end of the price list and mixes good performance with decent running costs.
Mercedes B-Class MPG & CO2
All models get stop-start technology designed to save fuel, but the diesels in general are more fuel-efficient. The B200d promises an average of 67.3mpg and emits 109g/km of CO2. This model is also available with a 7G seven-speed automatic gearbox, promising up to 70.6mpg fuel economy and 104g/km CO2 emissions. All models produce slightly more CO2 when fitted with large wheels – we’ve quoted figures for the smallest wheels available on each model.
The less powerful B180d achieves 70.6mpg, while the range-topping B220d returns 67.3mpg. If you specify four-wheel drive with the B220d, be warned that this drops economy to 56.5mpg.
The petrol models are inevitably thirstier than the diesels: the B180 and B200 return 50.4mpg and 49.6mpg respectively with manual gearboxes, or 51.4mpg if either is paired with an automatic – comparing well with petrol rivals.
All new petrol and diesel B-Class’ will cost £140 a year to tax – although if you manage to pile it high enough with options to push the list price past the £40,000 mark, tax will be £450 a year in years two to six (starting after the first year of CO2-weighted tax payment). The all-electric Electric Drive model was tax-exempt, but is no longer on sale.
The B-Class holds its value better on the used market than its mainstream rivals, which helps to offset the fact it costs more than the competition in the first place.
Insurance group
The majority of the range falls into insurance groups 15-24, so insurance should not be unduly expensive, even for top-spec models.
Warranty
The B-Class comes with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, so if any issues do crop up in the first few years of ownership, you can be sure they'll get sorted.
By way of comparison, the Ford C-MAX has a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while the less prestigious Renault Scenic is covered during the first four years, and the Kia Carens has an impressive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Servicing
Mercedes recommends that the B-Class goes in for a service once a year or every 15,500 miles – whichever comes sooner. Services alternate between A and B types, with different inspections carried out in each. Fixed-price service plans are available.
