Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mercedes GLB review - Reliability & safety

The GLB has a five-star safety rating, but some driver assistance systems are only fitted to the most expensive models

Reliability and safety rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£39,150 - £53,870
  • Seven-seat practicality
  • Efficient engines
  • Impressive tech
  • Dull to drive
  • Small boot in seven-seat mode
  • Can get expensive
Find your Mercedes GLB
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The GLB didn’t appear in our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, although Mercedes-Benz finished a disappointing 28th out of 30 manufacturers. Owners complained of high running costs, including expensive servicing and insurance premiums.

There’s better news when it comes to safety, with the GLB awarded a maximum five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. The scores were impressive, including 92% for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection, 78% for vulnerable road users protection and 74% for safety assist technologies.

Advertisement - Article continues below

All GLBs get multiple airbags, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, fatigue monitor, cruise control with speed limiter, speed limit assist and rain-sensing wipers. Five-seat models get ISOFIX points on the two outer rear seats, while seven-seat models get an extra pair of ISOFIX points in the third row.

AMG Line Premium Plus and GLB 35 4Matic Premium Plus models also feature a Driving Assistance package. This features an array of safety systems designed to keep you out of trouble. The list includes Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Braking Assist, Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, exit warning function, Pre-Safe Plus and route-based speed adjustment.

Warranty 

Every Mercedes-Benz GLB comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty. This is average for the class, but extended warranties are also available. Longer standard warranties are rare in the premium sector, but cheaper rivals from the likes of Hyundai and Kia come with five- and seven-year warranties respectively.

Servicing

Mercedes-Benz offers fixed-price servicing options via a ServiceCare plan. The prices vary, but based on a new GLB and up to 15,500 miles a year, two services could cost £750 if paying up front. Alternatively, the cost can be spread with monthly payments. Three services cost around £1,000, while four services cost £1,500.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    GLB 200 Sport Executive 5dr 7G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £39,150

Most Economical

  • Name
    GLB 200d Sport Executive 5dr 8G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £39,800

Fastest

  • Name
    GLB 220d 4Matic AMG Line Executive 5dr 8G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £47,080
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024