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Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG (2008-2011) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 2 out of 52.0

Written by David Ross Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.

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Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 20 - 21 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.

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Running costs are as high as you’d expect on a high performance car of this ilk. Fuel economy is low, insurance is high (group 19) and it’s expensive to tax. Dealer servicing prices are also among the highest around. And if you’re liberal with the throttle you can expect to go through tyres at a rapid rate – the standard Pirelli rubber is not cheap either.

The C63 AMG is certainly not a friend of the environment. It emits 319g/km of CO2 (326g/km on the estate) which means it sits in the highest tax bracket. The official fuel economy is 21mpg but you’ll be lucky to achieve this in everyday driving with a figure in the mid to late teens more likely.

Mercedes-Benz admits that its standards have fallen in recent years and reliability hasn’t lived up to the company’s reputation. This C-Class is designed to address that and the C63 AMG has been in development for three years, testing it in 20 different locations around the world, from the Arctic Circle to Death Valley in California. The engine is well proven in other AMG models and so should prove reliable and durable.