Used Mercedes-Benz GLC for sale: everything you need to know
An all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC arrived in 2022, but here we’re concentrating on the popular outgoing model that arrived in 2015. Throughout its time on sale it was one of most desirable and accomplished cars in its class, offering everything from practical and fuel-efficient family transportation to monstrous AMG performance models.
There are no real areas in which the GLC falls down, but as a Mercedes it certainly wasn’t cheap when new, and that’s where buying a used GLC begins to look very tempting. The brand’s strong residuals mean it doesn’t depreciate as fast as some SUVs, but picking up a car that’s a few years old can still save thousands over the latest model. Read on below to find out more about the GLC.
Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a great buy in the premium family SUV class. It has the right badge, handsome styling, a practical and well-built cabin, and a wide range of engines and trim levels that mean just about everyone should be able to find a variant that suits them.
The GLC doesn’t break any new ground in this class - instead it just gets on with doing things well across the board. The cabin is spacious, well-built, and comfortable, and isn’t over-encumbered with distracting screens. The boot is a decent size too, though opt for the plug-in hybrid model and space does shrink slightly thanks to the battery pack.
It’s good to drive too. Some rivals might offer a sportier driving experience but the GLC isn’t out of its depth on a twisty road, while being more comfortable than most around town or on a motorway jaunt, though larger wheels can give the ride quality an edge that chips away at the GLC’s comfort. All engines offer good performance and economy, and are refined enough to settle well into the background when you’re cruising.
Reliability ratings aren’t bad either, which is reassuring when you’re buying a used car from a premium marque. The GLC isn’t without tough opposition though - the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 are similarly talented, with their own strengths (build quality for the Audi, a more dynamic feel for the BMW), and the Porsche Macan is difficult to ignore too. For fun, and a different style, don’t discount the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Jaguar F-Pace either.
What’s the best used Mercedes-Benz GLC model to buy?
Unless you want the image and the rampant performance of the AMGs, it’s the diesels that make most sense in a premium SUV like this. Even the basic 200 d offers good performance and quite impressive economy - nearly 50mpg on paper - but move up the range and performance only becomes more effortless, without getting significantly more thirsty. The plug-in 300 de isn’t quite as attractive for used buyers as it was for new or fleet owners, but if you have somewhere to charge it, it could still prove quite affordable to run. As for specification, we think AMG Line Premium trim strikes a good balance between equipment and value.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLC fuel economy and performance
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 d: With a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, the GLC makes 194PS, with a 7.9-second 0-62mph time and claimed 47.9mpg economy.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 d: The 300 d gets the same size engine, but power grows to 245PS, dropping the 0-62mph time down to 6.5 seconds. Economy is quoted at 42.8mpg combined.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 de: Electric assistance to the tune of 122PS means a combined 306PS output for the 300 de, and 27 miles of EV range. 0-62mph drops to 6.2 seconds, and economy is 156.9mpg.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: 2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol power means a 258PS output and 6.2-second 0-62mph time. Combined economy is quoted at 34.5mpg.
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 43: The first AMG model gets a 3-litre turbocharged V6. With 390PS, it’s good for a 0-62mph sprint of 4.9 seconds, and 26.4mpg economy.
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 63: The GLC 63 steps up again, getting a 476PS 4-litre twin-turbo V8. It takes only four seconds to get to 62mph, while economy is 22.1mpg.
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S: In S form the V8’s power swells to 510PS, cutting the 0-62mph down to 3.8 seconds, with an increase in fuel consumption, at 21.7mpg.
What used Mercedes-Benz GLC trim levels are available?
The Mercedes trim level lineup can be quite complex, as you can see from the various GLC trim grades detailed below. As a quick rule of thumb though, there are Sport, AMG Line, and full AMG models, and the more words affixed to the end of each of these, the more equipment you’re going to get. Most trim levels were available with most engine options, but the proper AMGs got their own engines - a V6 for the 43, and a V8 for the 63 models.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC Sport came with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, parking assist with a reversing camera, privacy glass, a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen with MBUX, and heated front seats.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG Line got larger wheels at 19 inches, while an AMG styling pack and new AMG grille clothed the exterior. Other kit included sports seats, brushed metal pedals, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG Line Premium got even larger wheels at 20 inches, along with multibeam LED headlights, exterior running boards, a full digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, leather sports seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG Line Premium Plus added a panoramic sunroof, keyless go, and memory front seats and steering column, plus a Burmester sound system.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG Line Ultimate had all the equipment of the Premium Plus, but added self-adjusting Air Body Control air suspension.
- The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is where the AMG range started, and came with 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG Ride Control suspension, and various AMG details inside and out. GLC 43 Premium and Premium Plus trim included equipment from the similarly-badged models above.
- The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 got 19-inch alloys, Air Body Control air suspension, a rear locking differential, and an AMG Performance exhaust.
- The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S had the more powerful V8 engine, plus 20-inch wheels, red brake calipers, AMG performance seats, a 174mph speed limiter (rather than 155mph), and a steering wheel with a racing-style centre marker.
Used Mercedes-Benz GLC dimensions and boot size
The Mercedes-Benz GLC’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4655mm-4682mm
- Width: 1890mm-1930mm (without mirrors), 2096mm (with mirrors)
- Height: 1620mm-1644mm
The Mercedes-Benz GLC’s boot size is:
- 550 litres (395 litres GLC 300 de)
- 1600 litres with the rear seats folded down (1445 litres GLC 300 de)
Used Mercedes-Benz GLC road tax
All Mercedes GLCs cost more than £40,000 when they were new, and this means a hefty VED surcharge for all models between two and six years old, registered after April 2017. This in turn means a bill of £600 per year for petrol and diesels, and £10 less for hybrid models. Cars built before this date are instead taxed on CO2 output, which typically makes the diesels cheaper to tax than petrol models.
How much is it to insure a Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Unsurprisingly the AMG models can be found towards the top of the 50-group insurance scale, with the AMG 63 S sitting in group 47, and the Edition 1 special edition bumping that to group 49. The range as a whole starts a little lower though, with a GLC 200 d in Sport trim beginning in group 28, and some earlier models being less still.
