Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hatchback (2005-2011) 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.

What is miles per pound?

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 21 - 32 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.

View mpg & specs for any version

Large 4x4s are never cheap to run. However, the prestige of the Mercedes-Benz badge and M-Class’ desirability should mean that values hold up well. Fuel consumption from the diesel V6 is average (30mpg in everyday driving) for a car of this size, although deeper pockets are needed for the ML500 – it manages 21mpg. Insurance is (unsurprisingly) high.

Lower-powered cars are in group 17, while the range-toppers are in 18, 19 and 20.

The M-Class performs badly on the eco front. With an average of 285g/km CO2 across the model line-up, its emissions are high. The 280 CDI and 320 CDI models are the greenest – facelifted version from late 2008 emit 246g/km of CO2 (previously 254g/km) and average 30mpg (previously 29mpg).

Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for high quality engineering and quality has taken a knock in recent years. However, the M-Class seems to show the firm is back on track. The plasticky interior of the old 1998-2005 car has been replaced by one that feels much higher quality. We’re expecting few – if any – mechanical problems.