The 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact car that came with a choice of 2.3L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl and 4.3L 8-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.3L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl, 4.3L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–20 city / 21–28 highway / 17–23 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,550–$4,850 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 386–523 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 3 configurations: C230, C280, C43 |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with hoppecke batteries. The battery maintenance schedule could be less than needed to maintain proper electrolyte levels.
Risk: The low electrolyte levels result in accelerated battery grid growth, increased potential for inter-cell rupture and sparking, and the potential for a battery explosion.
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with NHTSA. 2 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 4 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 13 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
Mercedes benz: all model 202, 208, 210 equipped with code 472a (electronic stability program) esp indicator lamp illuminated/fault code c1401 or c1405. No model years lis
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer
Battery explosion
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 C-Classs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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