2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 24 mpg (UK) / 20 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Mercedes-Benz C300 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 24 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 7-spd |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 88 cu ft (2,492 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 12 cu ft (340 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 24 combined / 20 urban / 29 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 20 combined / 17 city / 24 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 276 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,100 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300, all with the 3L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/24) | 276 | $4,100 |
| 3L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/25) | 276 | $4,100 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 88 cubic feet (about 2,492 litres) and luggage volume at 12 cubic feet (about 340 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Running Costs: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 at 24 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,515 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,100 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The most-reported areas are Air bags (312), Suspension (74), Engine (69). Complaints include 8 reported crashes, 7 reported fires, 10 reported injuries, 1 reported death. That is well above the median of 130 complaints across the 17 Mercedes-Benz C300 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (312 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Suspension (74 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Engine (69 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Body structure (62 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Mercedes-Benz models in our database average about 26 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300's 24 mpg is 2 mpg below that make average.
Of the 17 Mercedes-Benz C300 model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 17th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (24 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Mercedes-Benz C300 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
It's fitted with a 3L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 7-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most efficient configuration returns around 24 mpg (UK) combined, or 20 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,100 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300?
Among the 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (312 complaints), Suspension (74 complaints), Engine (69 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 88 cubic feet (about 2,492 litres) and luggage volume at 12 cubic feet (about 340 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.