Should you buy a used Mercedes C-Class W204?

As long as you have reasonable expectations of what you’ll get for the price you’re planning to pay, the W204 C-Class has all the makings of a very sound second-hand car.

Aim for proven, extensive service history over particularly low mileage, and look out for the potentially painful but easily avoided issues highlighted on page one of this review. But otherwise this C-Class is a fine car.

The small petrol engines are considered particularly robust, so if you don’t need mile-munching diesel fuel economy or high performance then we’d recommend option for one of those. Keep it clean, pop a private number plate on, and you’ll be the envy of all your neighbours for years to come.