It’s difficult to choose between Mercedes-Benz and BMW in terms of dependability and safety.
With 12 quality and dependability awards from J.D., BMW tops the list for overall reliability of its vehicles. Power from 2019 through 2021. Mercedes-Benz, in contrast, only received two honors for dependability and one for quality during the same period.
In contrast, Mercedes-Benz barely beats BMW in terms of safety ratings. Mercedes-Benz had four vehicles chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as Top Safety Picks in 2021, including three Top Safety Pick+ winners, thanks to the abundance of driver aid equipment that comes standard on most models. Only three of BMW’s Top Safety Picks received the coveted a+a rating in the same year.
In other words, if top-notch safety technology is important to you, a Mercedes-Benz is a better choice—especially the C-Class, E-Class, and GLE models, which received top IIHS ratings. However, BMW is your friend if you’re searching for a vehicle that will endure the test of time without necessitating numerous costly trips to the repair.
In This Article...
Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. the BMW X4
Two small SUVs that frequently compete against one another. U.S. The X4 had an overall reliability rating of 89 from News, whereas the GLC received only a 78.
Both vehicles deliver excellent safety ratings and roughly identical levels of technology, albeit the X4 has a blind spot monitor as standard equipment while the GLC requires an additional purchase.
Although their MPG ratings are too close to call and their engines are quite similar, robust, and potent, the GLC-Class’s infotainment system may be more user-friendly.
Which Brands Require More Upkeep
AM-Online has conducted research and created a number of infographics to show which German brands are the most dependable and affordable to repair. The study compares maintenance requirements for BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz under six years of ownership, after six years, and after twelve years. As a result, this generally illustrates how each automaker’s models are over their whole lives.
Under six years, the cost and dependability of every car is relatively the same. This is due to the fact that the vehicles are relatively new, often have less than 100,000 miles on them, and come with a factory-backed guarantee, meaning that there won’t be many significant problems.
Audi still has the most issues and requires the most money to fix, though. Mercedes is the most dependable and, therefore, the most affordable vehicle, placing BMW in the center. Things start to alter after six years. The cars do have a tendency to break down as they accumulate more kilometers and perhaps more owners.
The least dependable and priciest of the three manufacturers is still Audi, while Mercedes continues to be the market leader and BMW remains in the center. Twelve years later, though, things usually settle down again because the automobiles are so old and most customers choose to ignore minor issues.
But when you get down to the smaller particulars, things get a little messier. It wasn’t as simple to compare different car classes, such as the 1 Series/2 Series class, 3 Series class, and 5 Series class. The brands’ positioning didn’t change, but the expenses to repair various models did. For instance, the less priced models of both BMW and Audi were less expensive to fix, which seems relatively normal. However, Mercedes-Benz’s more expensive models were the cheapest to repair, probably due to their greater build quality and dependability.
BMWs: Reliability
BMW can be regarded as one of the top brands that epitomizes automotive luxury, along with Mercedes. However, given BMW’s recent reliability issues, they might not be the best choice for those who enjoy a good laugh. BMW received a poor overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5.0 according to a recent RepairPal poll. Their rating falls short of Mercedes’ 3.0 out of 5.0. Even worse, RepairPal’s assessment of 32 other automakers places BMW 30th. In comparison, Mercedes is ranked 27th. Keep in mind that this study evaluated the average score of 345 different BMW models. According to Consumer Reports, the most trustworthy BMW models are the 7-Series, X3, 3-Series, 1-Series, and 5-Series.
Reliability
The subject of car reliability, or lack thereof, is always brought up in discussions between BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even other German companies like Audi and Volkswagen.
Every time you bring up German luxury, individuals will share their own horror stories from having a German vehicle. Undoubtedly, there are instances of German automobiles breaking down as soon as they are driven off the lot. The same narrative, however, applies to expensive Japanese or even American automobiles.
In actuality, when you invest in the idea of ultimate luxury, you are asking for difficulties and experimental engineering that hasn’t yet been used in industry. Manufacturers invest unfathomable amounts of time and money in research and development to incorporate the newest technologies into their vehicles.
Luxury automobile manufacturers need to offer innovations and amenities that aren’t available anywhere else in order to compete. Due of this, high-end automakers have begun to heavily use vehicle networking, which has led to a rise in the amount of delicate electronics seen in contemporary vehicles.
Chains with more links in them are more likely to break. It appears as though luxobarges breakdown more frequently and earlier. The advantage is that these ground-breaking innovations gradually filter down into the entry-level models and proliferate among manufacturers.
When you look at reliability ratings, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are right around the industry average, which makes this readily clear. Having said that, BMW has a significant lead over Mercedes-Benz in the 2022 Vehicle Dependability Survey conducted by JD Power.
If you look at a different survey conducted by WhatCar, Mercedes-Benz behind BMW as well. Both brands are roughly comparable to one another. Although the evidence is conflicting, it is reasonable to conclude that both manufacturers deliver comparable reliability.
The unvarnished truth is that if you buy a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW, you should be able to afford the pricey maintenance and sporadic need for repair care. There will be tasks that only experts can complete, and they bill extra for their services.
In the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz and BMW set the standard for dependability. However, as customer expectations for luxury and technology have increased over time, this reputation has become irrelevant.
This is a credible conjecture, but if reliability is what you’re looking, look elsewhere. In the majority of assessments on brand reliability, both manufacturers have trouble earning high marks.
To be the devil’s advocate, it’s important to note that BMW once again outperforms Mercedes in JD Power’s 2022 Customer Service Index (CSI) survey. In the Premium Brand category, Lexus is currently in the top.
We have investigated which German vehicle is the most dependable. Visit our article to learn more.
Is Mercedes or BMW more dependable?
Both BMW and Mercedes are recognized for their high-end, high-performance automobiles; yet, because of the engineering intricacy, should something go wrong, this could result in pricey repair work.
According to the J.D. Power 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study, the most recognizable brands in the world’s 2018 models were evaluated for the number of issues per 100 vehicles. With a score of 108 problems, BMW placed 11th. Mercedes-Benz came in at number 15 with 122.
Mercedes, BMW, or Audi: which one is more dependable?
You can see that BMW performs far better than Mercedes-Benz or Audi. Additionally, it performs much better than the industry standard of 121 issues per 100 vehicles. Audi and Mercedes-Benz both rank lower than the average number of issues per 100 vehicles, even though Mercedes is close to the industry average.
Which is of higher quality, a Mercedes or a BMW?
BMW remains the overall champion when it comes to luxury performance, even if the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is one of the best-performing large luxury sedans on the road right now. Customers should choose a BMW automobile if they want performance and style in one convenient package.
What BMW model is the best?
1. BMW E30 M3 (1986–1991) The BMW M3 that started it all, the E30 was the first M3 produced and is regarded as the best ever by many auto aficionados, including ourselves. It created history at the time, and automotive enthusiasts still talk about it now.
Which is more popular, Mercedes or BMW?
While the two manufacturers have historically shared many technological and innovative traits, this tendency is beginning to shift. For instance, because to a 9% rise over 2020 volumes, BMW surpassed Mercedes to become the world’s preferred luxury automobile brand last year. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz saw a 5% decline (excluding Smart and vans).
The Stuttgart brand has suffered from the deteriorating C-Class and E-Class, while BMW has profited from a rising demand for its most well-liked models. While Mercedes saw reductions in these four areas, BMW saw volume sales rise in China, Europe, the US, and Japan-Korea. Sales in China and North America differed significantly from one other, increasing by 8 and 21 percent vs decreasing by 3 and 1 percent.
How does Mercedes compare to BMW and Audi?
Audi frequently beats out rivals if you want to put appearances above everything else. BMW is the best option if you want a joyful, exciting driving experience. Mercedes remains the king of power, safety, and speed.
Which German vehicle is the most trustworthy?
- Porsche.
- Audi.
- Mercedes-Benz.
- BMW: The pinnacle of automobiles.
- Volkswagen. For many years, Volkswagen has been the biggest automaker in Europe.
- Opel. One of the world’s most established automakers is Opel.
Which European vehicle is the most dependable?
Mercedes-Benz Of the three major German premium brands, Mercedes-Benz consistently ranks first in terms of dependability, and Warranty Wise also finds that its vehicles are generally more cheap to repair.
Is Lexus more dependable than BMW?
Superior Quality – Surprisingly, but without a doubt, Lexus provides better quality than BMW. The quality of Lexus vehicles is not merely marginally superior to BMW vehicles; rather, it is 33% more dependable and superior in quality.
More Reliable – If you want a car that won’t worry you with minor software, interior durability, or exterior finishing concerns, a Lexus is the best option for you. These vehicles have incredibly durable characteristics that are built to last for many years.
Excellent Ride Comfort – One of the top features that sets Lexus apart from BMW vehicles is the superb ride comfort it provides to both drivers and passengers. Lexus is a great choice for drivers and passengers that value a stress-free, pleasant, comfortable, and safe driving experience.
Minimum Issues – After just a few months of ownership, many BMW customers report problems with the cutting-edge technology, software, and comfort requirements of the inside. The good news is that Lexus owners rarely complain, so you can rest easy knowing you chose the ideal car.
Affordable Repairs – The engine, interior, and other repairs and maintenance on a Lexus are less frequent. Another fantastic feature is that Lexus repairs are quite reasonable, so you won’t have to keep spending money on them.
Opulent, Safe Trip: Lexus cars are known for their luxurious interiors and enhanced safety measures that provide for a safer ride for the occupants. With a Lexus, parallel parking and slow drive through traffic are both quite smooth.