Mercedes Benz C280

147 registered in New Zealand · 1993–2010 · 95% from Germany

The Mercedes Benz C280 is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 147 registered across model years 1993 to 2010. It averages 12.1 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 149 kW. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 2.8L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the C280.

Select Year

147 On NZ Roads
2.8L Engine
12.1 L/100km
149 kW

Fuel Types

Mercedes Benz C280 fuel type breakdown: PETROL 99%, DIESEL 1%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Mercedes Benz C280 vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Mercedes Benz C280 fleet age profile: 1996: 17, 1997: 11, 2005: 13, 2006: 37, 2007: 12.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Mercedes Benz C280 transmissions: 7-GEAR AUTO 1%.

Engine Size

Mercedes Benz C280 engine sizes: 2.8L 40%, 3.0L 38%, 2.8L 11%, 3.0L 7%, 2.5L 2%.

Imported From

Mercedes Benz C280 imported from: Germany 95%, Japan 5%, United Kingdom 1%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Mercedes Benz C280 vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Mercedes Benz C280 NZ arrival timeline: 2017: 15, 2018: 4, 2019: 4, 2020: 1, 2021: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Mercedes Benz C280.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

SILVER 54 (37%)
BLACK 27 (18%)
BLUE 23 (16%)
GREY 15 (10%)
WHITE 14 (10%)
GREEN 7 (5%)
RED 5 (3%)
GOLD 1 (1%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Mercedes Benz C280 regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 45, CHRISTCHURCH: 15, HAMILTON: 6, WELLINGTON: 5, UPPER HUTT: 5.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mercedes Benz C280 are there in New Zealand?

There are 147 Mercedes Benz C280 vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1993 to 2010.

How much does it cost to run a Mercedes Benz C280?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Mercedes Benz C280 averages 12.1 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $95 per week or $4,951 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Mercedes Benz C280?

The Mercedes Benz C280 is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Mercedes Benz C280 cars imported or NZ-new?

95% of Mercedes Benz C280 vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.