Car Model Guide/ Issues/ Front thrust-arm and control-arm bush wear

Front thrust-arm and control-arm bush wear

Attaches to W212/S212 at chassis level · Suspension · carried by 20 variants across 2 chassis

Overview

Front thrust-arm and control-arm bush wear is a common fault recorded against W212/S212 at chassis level, typically from 95–160k km. It shows up as a clunk or knock over bumps and when turning at low speed, vibration through the wheel, and vague or wandering steering. Where it's documented, the repair runs €300–€600 (complete arm per side, fitted, plus alignment, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 20 variants across 2 chassis in this database inherit it.

€300 – €600

complete arm per side, fitted, plus alignment · costs dated 2026-07

Likelihoodcommon

Typical onset95–160k km

Detectableyes

Walk awayno

Evidencedocumented

What happens

Symptom. A clunk or knock over bumps and when turning at low speed, vibration through the wheel, and vague or wandering steering.

Cause. The aluminium front arms use fluid-filled hydraulic bushes that rupture and leak; the bushes aren't separately serviceable, so the whole arm is replaced. The cause is consistent.

How to check it

Static checks

Look for brown hydraulic fluid weeping from the bushes, rock the arms for play, and listen for a clunk over rough roads and on full lock.

Engine off, ideally on a lift.

SuspensioncommonDetectable at viewingevidence: documented95–160k km

Every variant that carries this

Variant	Chassis	Body	Years	Risk	Good buy	Cost as % of good buy
E 220 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€6,300	7%
E 220 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€6,650	7%
E 200 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2010–2016	R3	€5,500	8%
E 200 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2010–2016	R3	€5,800	8%
E 250 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€7,300	6%
E 250 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€7,700	6%
E 350 CDI OM642	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€8,750	5%
E 350 CDI OM642	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€9,200	5%
E 200 CGI M271-EVO	W212	sedan	2009–2013	R3	€5,200	9%
E 200 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€5,450	8%
E 250 CGI M271-EVO	W212	sedan	2009–2013	R3	€6,000	8%
E 250 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€6,300	7%
E 200 M274	W212	sedan	2013–2016	R2	€8,450	5%
E 200 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€8,850	5%
E 250 M274	W212	sedan	2013–2016	R2	€9,600	5%
E 250 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€10,100	4%
E 350 CGI M272	W212	sedan	2009–2011	R3	€7,250	6%
E 350 CGI M272	S212	wagon	2009–2011	R3	€7,650	6%
E 350 M276	W212	sedan	2011–2016	R2	€10,500	4%
E 350 M276	S212	wagon	2011–2016	R2	€11,050	4%

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.