10 Mercedes-Benz Cars That Can Reach 500,000 Miles

Mercedes-Benz models from the past are often regarded as great used cars because of their top-notch build quality, opulent interiors, and luxurious features – and there are plenty of models that can withstand hundreds of thousands of miles and still feel new.

From old-school sedans and sports cars to SUVs and station wagons, the brand knows how to build a great car in every segment. However, the following ten Mercedes-Benz models have proven themselves especially reliable and long-lasting. If taken care of, there aren’t many things that can go wrong, and those that do are usually easy and cheap fixes.

How we made our model selections: HotCars looked at several Mercedes-Benz models from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, filtering the ones that could withstand the highest mileages. Using maximum mileage information from CarSurvey, we’ve found models with at least 200,000 miles clocked while also boasting great reliability scores on Kelley Blue Book. Any used prices reported are courtesy of Classic.com. Models are ranked according to their KBB reliability score, from best to worst.

10 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD : 4.9/5

The Mercedes-Benz W116 300SD was specifically built for the North American market and is the first of many S-class generations to buy used, one of which was the 300SD featuring a 3.0-liter turbo diesel inline five-cylinder engine with 119 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. As a high-end classic machine, the 1980 300SD offers impressive build quality which also translates to incredible durability, and long-term owners on CarSurvey have surpassed 250,000 miles in some cases with minimal issues.

Mercedes-Benz 300SD Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.9/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: +250,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $1,368 (RepairPal)

Owners on the site also attest to the used Mercedes’ impressive handling and good fuel economy thanks to the 300SD’s diesel engine, even though it might not be the quickest car on the block. Nowadays, the 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD goes for an average price of $27,000 on classic.com.

9 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL: 4.9/5

Much like the aforementioned 300SD, the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL is a more modern version of the automaker’s luxury S-Class from the ‘80s, boasting a larger turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel engine with 3.0 liters of displacement and a maximum output of 148 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque. It can reach a top speed of 121 mph and comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz 300SDL Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.9
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 340,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $1,368 (RepairPal)

According to owners on CarSurvey, the 1986 Mercedes 300SDL is an extremely reliable vehicle with some examples clocking more than 340,000 miles clocked on the odometer. Most of its problems tend to be quick and cheap to fix, even though maintenance costs can be higher than what you’d expect for a vehicle of its age. According to Classic.com, the 1986 Mercedes-Benz currently goes for an average price of around $18,500.

8 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190E: 4.8/5

The 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190E is beloved by enthusiasts who appreciate the awesome Evo I and Evo II versions. However, even the regular 190E with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.6-liter inline six are great options for those interested in a reliable used Mercedes. Owners on CarSurvey give it an average score of 9/10 in reliability, and the 190E lives up to the esteem with several versions reaching the 200,000-mile mark.

Mercedes-Benz 190E Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.8/10
• Highest Mileage Recorded: +200,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $774 (RepairPal)

The 2.6-liter i6 Mercedes-Benz 190E generates 158 horsepower along with 162 pound-feet of torque and is available with a 5-speed manual that sends power to the rear wheels. Looks-wise, the car showcases a typical 90s box-style design with plenty of room for exterior mods. The average price for a used 2.6 190E on classic.com hovers around $9,000.

7 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI: 4.7/5

After being consistently used for nearly two decades, the E320 CDI still runs like new, easily pumping out power from its 3.2-liter six-cylinder which generates 204 horsepower along with 369 pound-feet of torque.

Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.7/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 350,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $1,456 (RepairPal)

As the second turbo diesel car in a row on this list, the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI emerges to showcase just how reliable these types of engines are, with an owner on CarSurvey already clocking 350,000 miles on theirs.

Most owners give the used Mercedes a perfect 10/10 reliability score on the site, and most would agree that it’s perfectly capable of breaking the 500,000-mile mark if taken care of diligently. The average price for a used E320 on classic.com is just $11,600, making it a perfect buy for owners who want a quality ride that can last for eons.

6 2011 Mercedes-Benz E200 CDI: 4.7/5

As of today, the 2024 Mercedes E-Class luxury sedan sits toward the higher end of the German automaker’s models, slotting in just below the market-leading S-Class in the lineup. The 2011 E200 CDI isn’t much different, offering a high-quality interior and a smooth drive powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that generates 136 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels and is available with either a manual or an automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz E200 CDI Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.7/10
• Highest Mileage Recorded: +370,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $810 (RepairPal)

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E200 CDI is extremely durable, with a drivetrain that requires little to no repairs even over long periods of time, and one owner on CarSurvey has already driven theirs for nearly 400,000 with issues that are to be expected, such as an oil pan replacement and a faulty rear air spring. Overall, the used Mercedes is perfectly capable of reaching the 500,000-mile mark.

5 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE: 4.7/5

Mercedes-Benz’s estate models have a cult-like following, and for good reason; they’re immensely practical and spacious while also being nifty all-around performers. The 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE is the perfect example, sporting a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine capable of generating 178 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. It can get the estate from 0-60 mph in about 8.4 seconds and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Mercedes-Benz 300TE Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.7/10
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 350,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $726 (RepairPal)

The consensus on CarSurvey is that the 1989 300TE is immensely reliable, and the average rating comes out to 9 out of 10 marks. There’s an example with 350,000 miles already clocked, and the owner claims that it’s a fantastic wagon with minimal issues if serviced and maintained regularly.

4 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430: 4.5/5

As one of the most powerful Mercedes-Benz cars on this list, the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 is a two-door sports sedan with clean looks and an impressive reliability resume. Under the hood, you’ll find a large 4.3-liter V8 that generates 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 1999 CLK430 needs just 6.5 seconds to blast from 0-60 mph.

Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.5/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 300,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $849 (RepairPal)

Aside from its tantalizing performance, the Mercedes-Benz CLK430 is also quite a reliable car, and owners on CarSurvey give it an average reliability rating of 8/10. Reaching 500,000 miles wouldn’t be too far-fetched of a task for it either, and there are already owners with nearly 300,000 miles clocked on theirs. Most owners claim that the only issues they face are minor fixes, such as broken dash lights or sensor replacements.

3 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 4.5/5

Upon its release, the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S500 was one of the most luxurious sedans money could buy, and getting in one today still feels extremely luxurious, even though the vehicle is more than two decades old. Better yet, the used Mercedes is built to last, with several examples on CarSurvey already surpassing 200,000 miles and users giving it an average reliability score of 8 out of 10.

2001 Mercedes-Benz S500 Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.5/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 200,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $1,076 (RepairPal)

The 2001 Mercedes S500 comes with a 5.0-liter V8 that pumps out 302 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, but don’t be fooled by the numbers, because it’s designed to deliver top-notch ride quality and overall comfort instead of outright speed. While it had an original sticker price of $80,000 back in the day, the 2001 S500 now goes for an average price of just $13,559 according to classic.com, making it a cheap luxury buy.

2 2005 Mercedes C2000 Kompressor Sport: 4.4/5

The Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor Sport was essentially the entry-level C-class model from 2000 to 2007, featuring a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a healthy output of 161 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels and can reach 60 mph in around 9 seconds.

Mercedes C2000 Kompressor Sport Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.4/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: +200,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $727 (RepairPal)

The C200 Kompressor makes up for its lack of acceleration with impressive build quality and reliability, and that’s why it gets a perfect 10/10 durability score on CarSurvey. Some owners have consistently driven theirs for over 200,000 miles with minimal issues, making the Kompressor a great candidate to reach the 500,000 mark with ease.

1 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320: 4.2/5

As the predecessor of Mercedes’ current GLE-Class, the 1999 ML320 is a large luxury SUV that gets the job done both in practicality and reliability whilst also providing great interior comfort and reasonable performance. It comes with a 3.2-liter V6 that pumps out 215 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque and standard all-wheel-drive, making the Mercedes SUV great for speedfreaks and off-roaders alike.

Mercedes-Benz ML320 Reliability:

• KBB Reliability Rating: 4.2/5
• Highest Mileage Recorded: 350,000 miles
• Average Annual Repair Cost: $1,413 (RepairPal)

Owners on CarSurvey have mixed opinions regarding the 1999 ML320’s reliability, with the average score being about 6 out of 10. However, the sheer mileage count of some examples speaks volumes, and one has already clocked over 350,000 miles. Most issues tend to occur after the 125,000-mile mark, such as re-stitched windows and intake manifold cleaning as well as a replaced transmission at 300,000 miles – but other than that, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 shouldn’t be too much of a headache.

Sources: CarSurvey, Kbb, Repairpal, Classic.com.