The Mercedes CLA arrived as a way of combining the compact proportions of your typical hatchback with the sleek, effortless style of a saloon. Equipped with the usual Mercedes finery that you’d expect, the CLA brings a more style-conscious approach, despite sharing much of its mechanical underpinnings with the standard A-Class hatch. With loads of technology on board and a range of efficient yet punchy engines, the CLA remains a very appealing prospect today.
If i was buying a used Mercedes CLA, I would prefer the C118, which is the 2nd gen model launched in 2020. This model offers a good upgrade over the previous generation. I will also check if the service history is up to date, and all electrical systems work as they should. I would also test drive the car and make sure all gears change smoothly. I would also listen out for any unusual whirring noises from engine/ turbo area especially on higher mileage cars.
Alexander Gur is a Roadside Patrol at The AA, with more than 20 years of hands-on experience across garage and roadside roles, as well as a strong personal interest in performance cars.
Read bio• We have seen some minor electrical faults on older models such as screens freezing and coolant leaks on higher mileage cars. The latter could be thermostat or water-pump leaks, which can be fixed easily.
• For cars run over 60k, it may be worth considering getting the thermostat housing replaced to save any overheating issues.
• There was a recall in 2019-2021 for issues with the MBUX software that could cause the reversing camera to not work.
• Some software niggles could pop up: These issues are generally only software-base, such as system reboots, screen freezing, and sensor malfunctions and often requiring over-the-air (OTA) updates or dealer software patches.
I would recommend getting the car serviced especially engine oil changed every 5000-7500 miles using high quality Mercedes approved oil.
The CLA typically follows a flexible service schedule, usually alternating between Service A and Service B every 10,000–12,000 miles or 1 year. Service A is typically at 10k miles/1 year, and Service B at 20k miles/2 years
• Every 2 years: Brake fluid flush (regardless of mileage).
• Every 1–2 years: Cabin air filter (often part of Service B).
• 30,000 - 40,000 miles: Engine air filter replacement.
• 60,000 miles: Spark plugs (typical for 2.0L turbocharged engines).
• 60,000 - 80,000 miles: Transmission fluid and filter change.
If you follow the right maintenance schedule, get all fluids changed more frequently as mileage goes up, the Mercedes-Benz CLA can be a reliable car and we have seen examples running well over 100k miles without any issues.
The Mercedes CLA brings boatloads of style that helps it to stand out from the crowd, but it’s also backed up by some clever in-car tech and a great range of engines which blend efficiency and performance.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioMercedes has just taken its combustion-engined CLA off sale, instead switching to an all-electric version. However, there’s a great variety of petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel cars available on the used market and, since it only went off sale in 2025, can still be found with very low mileage.
For instance, you can find a 2025-plate CLA in high-spec AMG Line Premium Plus specification on AA Cars with just over 4,500 miles on the clock for £33,550. You can get an elegant Shooting Brake model for around £32,500 with around 10,000 miles on the clock, too, so there are plenty of options out there to suit all types of drivers.
As touched upon, there’s a wide variety of engines to choose from on the CLA, so there should be one which is right for you. The second-generation car, introduced in 2019, includes the CLA 180, more powerful CLA 200 and CLA 250 petrol models which are all turbocharged. Diesel is found in the CLA 220d, and this is a popular option for long-distance drivers. You’ve also got a plug-in hybrid in the CLA 250e, which has a claimed electric-only range of up to 44 miles.
There are also the range-topping AMG models, which both use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. You’ve got either the CLA AMG 35, or AMG 45, with the latter getting more power and a slightly more focused mechanical setup. All-wheel-drive - which is called 4Matic, in Mercedes-speak - comes equipped on both as standard, too.
While the CLA may look like quite a long car, it isn’t intimidating to drive. Sure, you do sit quite low down, but the car’s agility and excellent handling help to inspire confidence when going through quicker bends. All of the engines deliver a good amount of punch, too, and the 220d feels like it delivers one of the best combinations of performance and efficiency. Petrol cars get a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, too, while plug-in hybrid and diesel cars swap this out for an eight-speed automatic instead. However, both are smooth-shifting and make the car relaxing to drive.
At slower speeds, the CLA can feel quite firm - particularly AMG-specification cars which get bigger wheels and firmer suspension - but at speed, the CLA is impressively quiet and refined. Long motorway journeys, in particular, are a breeze in this Mercedes.
The CLA’s low ride height does a great job of assisting the car to remain flat and level through the bends. There’s a nice amount of weight to the steering, too, and though this can mean it feels a little harder to drive at slower speeds than an equivalent hatchback or city-focused car, a byproduct is that the car feels very stable when you’re travelling more quickly.
It’s worth adding that some versions of the CLA come equipped with active suspension, which can adjust the ride quality depending on the road surface to provide the best possible feel. However, this doesn’t come as standard on all models, so it’s worth checking to see the equipment included on any CLA that you’re looking at if you’re really keen on having it on your next car.
The Mercedes CLA is based on the same platform as the A-Class hatchback, so it’s not the largest of cars overall. However, there are still decent levels of space inside this saloon, while a Shooting Brake estate is also there. An update in 2023 introduced a more screen-heavy setup, too, with 10.25-inch displays housed on the dashboard. One controls key infotainment and media functions, while the second is positioned ahead of the driver and is where you’ll find readouts such as speed and distance.
All of the materials that you’ll interact with inside the CLA are of a high-quality, though some models use a lot of high-gloss black plastic which does attract fingerprints and dust. That said, there’s plenty of silver-coloured elements, and this does help to brighten up the look and feel of the interior overall.
Inside, the CLA offers a decent amount of space. Sitting up front, you get a nice, clear view of the road ahead, while the passenger has a good level of leg space so they can stretch out and get comfy. Legroom is also good for those sitting in the rear, though the coupe-esque swooping roofline does eat into headroom, so taller passengers might find that their heads brush against the roof. The middle seat can definitely be seen as ‘occasional’, as it’s quite compact and whoever is sitting there is likely to feel quite squashed. Boot space isn’t bad for a car of this size, too. You get 460 litres of space in the standard car, or 395 litres in the plug-in hybrid. Switch to the Shooting Brake model and boot space increases to 505 litres, so it’s a good option for those drivers who need a little extra space.
It’s a tech-filled place to be inside the cabin of the Mercedes CLA. The infotainment system is controlled either by touching the screen or by using an intuitive mousepad-style controller. The latter is easy to use, but you soon forget it’s there, as the touchscreen is the most natural. Smartphone connectivity systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto look good and operate well in the CLA, too.
There’s a great combination of physical and digital controls as well. A handy row of toggle-like buttons which runs below the rotor-style air vents operates features like the air conditioning and ventilation, so it’s really simple to adjust them on the move.
There’s an almost dizzying number of specifications available on the CLA. Sport still Sport Edition kicks off the range with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and heated seats, while Sport Executive cars benefit from 18-inch alloy wheels and tinted windows for a stealthier look. Many cars on the used market come in AMG Line - it was a popular specification when new, thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels and sporty bodykit, as well as its front and rear parking sensors and wireless smartphone charging. After its facelift, the trim levels were reduced to include just AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus, with all getting that sportier look and feel. All get a high level of standard equipment, though, including two-zone climate control and LED high-performance headlights.
The colour options for the CLA are all largely subdued, but there are some reds in there to brighten things up. Switch to AMG models and things do get a little jazzier, with bright yellows available.
The CLA should be a reliable choice, though there have been some concerns raised about this car’s electrical systems. If you’re looking at a used model, make sure you try out all of the key functions to make sure that everything is working as it should, or you might want to consider an AA vehicle inspection so that a trained professional can take a look at the car for you.
In terms of safety, the CLA does very well. When crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, the CLA scored a full five-star rating, proving its worth in these tough examinations. All cars get active brake assist and speed limit recognition tech as standard, though the Driving Assistance package - which includes features such as blind-spot assist and autonomous emergency braking - was only available as an option on certain models, so double-check to see if this has been equipped on a car you’re looking at if you’re after the best possible safety equipment.
Though many of the engines in the CLA line-up are quite powerful, they do well in terms of efficiency. While Mercedes does claim up to 282.5mpg for the plug-in hybrid, you’d have to run this car on electric-only power for nearly all of the time to achieve it. However, you can fully charge the battery in just over an hour via a home 7kW charger, so you don’t need to wait for long in order to get that maximum electric range back again.
The CLA 220d diesel will be appealing to many drivers, however, because of its blend of performance and efficiency. Mercedes claims up to 56.5mpg from this engine, too, so you shouldn’t have to visit the fuel station too often in this model. Avoid range-topping AMG performance models if you’re after great efficiency, mind you, as the A45 returns around 31mpg during mixed motoring. Drive it in a keener fashion, however, and this will tumble quickly. You’ll pay £195 for a year’s tax in nearly all CLA models, though double-check if a car you’re looking at costs over £40,000 when new - it’ll incur the Expensive Car Supplement if so.
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