Autotronic CVT shudder and failure
Attaches to MB-CVT at gearbox level · Transmission · carried by 2 variants across 1 chassis
Overview
Autotronic CVT shudder and failure is a common fault recorded against MB-CVT at gearbox level, typically from 90–170k km. It shows up as shudder as the car takes up drive, delayed engagement from a standstill, and in later stages a refusal to move. Where it's documented, the repair runs €1,200–€2,800 (control unit or exchange gearbox at a specialist, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 2 variants across 1 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Shudder as the car takes up drive, delayed engagement from a standstill, and in later stages a refusal to move.
Cause. The belt and the electro-hydraulic control unit both wear, and degraded fluid accelerates each of them. It's a service-dependent gearbox that owners have generally treated as sealed.
How to check it
On the drive
Pull away gently several times from cold and feel for shudder or a delay before drive engages. Ask for the fluid and filter record, since that document predicts the largest bill on the car.
Include low-speed manoeuvring, not just an open road.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B 180 CDI OM640 | W245 | MPV | 2005–2011 | R3 | €3,200 | 63% |
| B 200 M266 | W245 | MPV | 2005–2011 | R2 | €3,400 | 59% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.