Used Mercedes-Benz CLA review and buying guide (2013 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Mercedes-Benz CLA should you buy?

The 2013 to 2018 CLA is the one with a record behind it, and the gearbox and, on a petrol, the timing chain decide which car to buy. CDI diesels teamed with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic are the pairing to avoid: it's flagged as a poor match, and that gearbox's clutch packs wear between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, bringing judder and jerky changes. The M270 turbo petrol's chain tensioners can leak too, so only buy one that starts from cold without a rattle.

Every 2013 to 2017 CLA is covered by the recall for the steering column clock spring, which can break and, with poorly earthed wiring, fire the driver's airbag without warning. Only buy one that comes with paperwork showing the recall work's been done, and don't buy a car with the airbag warning light showing on the dash. That paperwork matters as much as the service history on these years.

There's far less on file for the CLA sold from 2019. It earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and a recall updated the transmission control unit software on some early cars of this newer CLA that could refuse to select drive or reverse, so ask for proof that update's been carried out. The 7G-DCT fault runs to 2023, so if a newer car has that gearbox, the same judder checks apply.

One owner of a 2020 CLA 220 Shooting Brake was told the turbo was faulty, then that the engine and coolant tank needed replacing, and also had heavy juddering with a loss of power above 50mph. That's one car, not a pattern, but it's the only owner report on the newer model, so there's little on record either way about how it holds up.

Which CLA engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

Skip a CDI diesel with the 7G-DCT automatic: it's the combination singled out as the weak one on this car, and the gearbox carries its own known fault. Between 50,000 and 100,000 miles the wet clutch packs wear and the mechatronic control unit can fail, which brings judder pulling away, a lurch or hesitation that's worse from cold, clunks into P, N or R, harsh second to third changes and limp mode.

If the car has the 1.6 or 2.0 turbo petrol (M270), the timing chain is the worry. Its hydraulic tensioners can leak down, so the chain clatters for a few seconds after a cold start; ignore it and the plastic guides wear until the chain jumps a tooth, bringing a camshaft timing warning and a misfire. There's no set replacement interval for the chain, and worn cam phasers can start a cold-start tick from around 60,000 to 80,000 km.

The M270 petrol is the only engine a known fault names, but there's little on record either way about the diesel engines or the other gearbox pairings, so don't treat them as safe just because nothing names them. Whichever you look at, a car with the 7G-DCT has to pull away smoothly from cold, and an M270 petrol has to start without any rattle.

What should you check when viewing a used CLA?

Insist the engine's stone cold when you arrive and start it yourself, because the first few seconds tell you the most. On an M270 petrol, a metallic rattle that fades points at the timing chain tensioners, and an engine warning light with rough running means the chain could already have jumped. One owner's 2013 car threw a misfire warning on cylinder 4 at 37,000 miles and had a fouled spark plug, so get any misfire diagnosed before you pay.

On an automatic, pull away from a standstill several times, including once uphill and once in reverse. Judder, a lurch or a pause before it moves are the 7G-DCT's clutch packs or control unit, and so are a clunk as you select P, N or R and a harsh change from second into third. If it drops into limp mode on the drive, don't buy it.

Check the airbag warning light goes out after starting, and on a 2013 to 2017 car ask to see paperwork showing the clock spring airbag recall's been done. Look at the driver's seat bolster too: one owner's 2016 CLA 220d Shooting Brake had its leather split at 18,000 miles, so run a hand along it and check for splits or cracks before you agree a deal.

Ask for invoices for any 7G-DCT work (clutch packs, mechatronic unit or software) and, on a petrol, for any timing chain or tensioner job. A seller who can't show either on a car past 50,000 miles is asking you to take the risk on trust.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

Is a used Mercedes-Benz CLA W176 / C117 / X156 (2013 to 2018) worth buying?

Buy one only after a cold start and a smooth test drive, and don't buy it as a CDI diesel with the 7G-DCT automatic, since that pairing's flagged as a poor one and the gearbox has a known fault. Its clutch packs wear and its mechatronic unit can fail between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, showing up as judder from rest, clunky selection and harsh low-gear changes, so how it drives from cold matters more than the mileage.

If it's an M270 turbo petrol, the timing chain's hydraulic tensioners are the weak spot, a High-rated known fault on the 2013 to 2018 car. A short rattle on a cold start is the early warning; left alone, the guides wear and the chain can jump, which brings camshaft timing faults and a misfire. Don't accept a seller saying the noise is normal.

Cars from 2013 to 2017 are covered by the clock spring airbag recall, so check the airbag light goes out and see the paperwork showing the recall work was done before you hand over any money. Day to day, the ride's on the firm side, and the back seats are tight if you need to fit a rear-facing child seat, so take yours along to the viewing if that matters to you.

What does a used Mercedes-Benz CLA cost to run?

What do CLA owners like about them?

The CLA handles neatly, and it corners with more composure than the steering suggests, since the wheel doesn't tell you much about what the front tyres are doing. Get it onto a motorway and it's easy and relaxed, the kind of car that'll cover a long run without wearing you out.

The Shooting Brake's boot isn't the squarest shape, but it's still a practical space and there's room in it for a pushchair. It's a car people notice, too: the styling makes a CLA stand out wherever it's parked, and that'll still be true years from now.

• The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA coupe achieved a 5-star NCAP safety rating, with high scores across all categories.
• The car offers good handling characteristics, despite the steering lacking some feedback for the driver.
• The boot, while not perfectly square, provides practical space and can accommodate items like a pushchair.
• Its stylish exterior design ensures the CLA Shooting Brake consistently attracts attention on the road.
• The vehicle provides a comfortable and relaxed driving experience, especially during long journeys on motorways.