Car Model Guide/ Issues/ Rear self-levelling air-suspension leak (estate)

Rear self-levelling air-suspension leak (estate)

Attaches to S212 at chassis level · Suspension · carried by 10 variants across 1 chassis

Overview

Rear self-levelling air-suspension leak (estate) is a common fault recorded against S212 at chassis level, typically from 100–200k km. It shows up as the rear sits low or sags overnight, a suspension-malfunction message, and a compressor that runs long or fails. Where it's documented, the repair runs €400–€900 (air spring or compressor fitted at a specialist, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 10 variants across 1 chassis in this database inherit it.

€400 – €900

air spring or compressor fitted at a specialist · costs dated 2026-07

Likelihoodcommon

Typical onset100–200k km

Detectableyes

Walk awayno

Evidencedocumented

What happens

Symptom. The rear sits low or sags overnight, a suspension-malfunction message, and a compressor that runs long or fails.

Cause. The rear air springs perish and leak, the air lines chafe, or the compressor wears. The S212 estate has rear self-levelling air suspension as standard, so every one of them ages into this.

How to check it

Static checks

Park it level overnight and check the rear ride height and for warning messages the next morning; inspect the airbags and lines for cracks and a long-running compressor.

Engine off, ideally on a lift.

SuspensioncommonDetectable at viewingevidence: documented100–200k km

Every variant that carries this

Variant	Chassis	Body	Years	Risk	Good buy	Cost as % of good buy
E 220 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€6,650	10%
E 200 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2010–2016	R3	€5,800	11%
E 250 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€7,700	8%
E 350 CDI OM642	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€9,200	7%
E 200 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€5,450	12%
E 250 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€6,300	10%
E 200 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€8,850	7%
E 250 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€10,100	6%
E 350 CGI M272	S212	wagon	2009–2011	R3	€7,650	8%
E 350 M276	S212	wagon	2011–2016	R2	€11,050	6%

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.