Overview

If you’re looking for a used SUV, sensibly sized for a family and with an upmarket badge on its nose, the first-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC certainly gives you plenty of choice. It’s available with traditional diesel engines, punchy petrols and a pair of plug-in hybrid options. There’s also a couple of fast AMG versions including the bonkers V8-powered GLC 63.

Rivals from the same period include the Audi Q5 and its impressively versatile interior, the keener-handling BMW X3 and Land Rover Discovery Sport that combines seven seat practicality with decent ability off-road. None of these has that fabled three-pointed star on the nose, though, so we can understand why the GLC may be hard to resist.

Mercedes GLC-Class (Mk1) common faults and problems

If you are pulled in by the allure of the Mercedes badge, just make sure you keep your eyes open. For like many premium brand products, while all may appear sleek and glossy on the surface there are certainly some things to look out for when buying a used GLC.

Some are more obvious than others, and we’ve listed 10 of the most common GLC problems below.

Buying guide

Common issues, and what to look for if you’re thinking of getting one

1. Weird ‘crabbing’ issue

This one seems scarcely believable from a premium SUV, but you only have to do a cursory scan of owners’ groups to discover it’s been a widespread and consistent problem for the GLC. Essentially ‘crabbing’ refers to the car juddering at low speed when steering is applied. The issue seems to start at full lock, but can quickly become noticeable at reduced steering angles. Excessive and often uneven tyre wear is usually the result.

The cause has been attributed variously to the permanent four-wheel drive system (many rivals use only part-time all-wheel drive that only starts to turn all four wheels when conditions are slippery) and the run flat tyres that were fitted when new. In the UK there was even a recall to replace this rubber with a more conventional type.

Point is you need to take a close look at the tyres – especially at the front – to be sure they’re in good condition before you buy, or factor in the replacement cost. And find somewhere to drive the car slowly round in circles during the test drive to see if you experience the symptoms. Big wheels and poor suspension alignment make the problem worse.

2. Vibrations when driving

An unignorable number of owners have also complained about unexpectedly harsh vibrations when driving. Some of this may be down to the realities of very large wheels and bad surfaces but there’s also a sense that maybe Mercedes didn’t engineer the suspension quite as well as it could have done.

If the GLC you’re looking at has air suspension fitted, don’t forget to make sure that all works as well. It should be smooth when driving, and sit level.

3. Power steering

Mercedes of this era can be hard on their power-steering. The GLC uses an electrically rather than hydraulically assisted system, and Mercedes doesn’t sell the parts individually – if the motor goes wrong you have to buy the whole steering rack, which is expensive and costly to fit. Be alert to any weird steering behaviour during the test drive.

4. Fuel filler flap falls off (!)

Another odd one, but it seems the fuel filler flap hinge is prone to failure, causing the door to come off in your hand. It’s an easy fix, but an annoying fault on a prestige car.

5. Water in the footwells

Cause is possibly an area under the battery that flexes and breaks a weld – fix is to apply some sealant – or it might be blocked drain holes of various origins. The important thing is to feel the carpets and see if they’re damp. If the water’s entry point can be identified and rectified quickly, it’s probably not a big deal. But if it’s been like it for a while the electronics will start to suffer.

6. Washer fluid leak leaks

Seems like a minor thing, but can actually become quite serious if not attended to – left long enough and this leak will reach electronic components and potentially cause some pretty major damage. Look for water in the area around and under the washer fluid reservoir. If the reservoir is empty, ask to fill it up and see what happens…

7. Interior rattles

Luggage covers, seat mechanism, parts of the dashboard – all of these areas have been reported as culprits in a seemingly never-ending battle with interior rattles for some owners of these cars. So listen carefully on your test drive.

8. Diesel engine issues

As well as the usual diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues you get with lots of modern diesel cars – especially those that are only used for short journeys – the GLC is among a range of Mercedes that seem to be prone to AdBlue problems and failing NOx sensors. Look for warning lights and poor running.

9. Do all the electrical things work?

These are complex car with lots of gadgets – do they all still work? If buying privately, quiz the owner about the safety systems to find out if they know how they’re supposed to work and whether they’ve experienced any issues. Make sure the reversing camera and parking sensors all behave. Check as many of the infotainment system’s functions as you can.

10. Squealing brakes

This really should have been resolved already, but early examples of the GLC were plagued with squealing brake issues, particularly at low speeds (and sometime especially in reverse). This won’t be difficult to spot as the symptoms are LOUD.

What models and trims can you buy?

While Mercedes offered the GLC in lesser specification, such as SE and Sport, the vast majority sold in the UK will be in some variant of AMG Line trim – of which there is a remarkable variety. We have a dedicated GLC spec page that should help you make sense of the second-hand example you’re viewing and what’s included.

Most on the market will be diesels, as that made the most sense in an SUV when the model was first introduced in 2015. However, as we recounted at the beginning of this petrol models and plug-in hybrids were also offered. There was also a GLC Coupe, but we cover that in a separate review.

Over the next few pages, we’ll review each aspect of the first-generation GLC-Class, taking into account its practicality, comfort, fuel economy and performance. If you’re short on time, you can also skip to our verdict page to see if we recommend this Mercedes as a good used car.