When you send a Mercedes listing from the lower segments during live broadcasts, the first thing we do is check the engine it carries. As you can see in the list below, today dozens of different Mercedes models carry a Renault engine. So, when did this partnership begin?

Daimler, the owner of Mercedes, signed a strategic agreement with Renault in 2010, and Daimler acquired a 3.1% stake in both Renault and Nissan. In return, the Renault-Nissan group also became a shareholder in Daimler by the same percentage. As a result of this agreement, the companies began developing and sharing some petrol and diesel engines together. These engines are:

• OM607: 1.5 diesel, 4-cylinder, 75-110hp (Renault K9K) 
• OM608: 1.5 diesel, 4-cylinder, 95-116hp (Renault K9K) 
• OM622: 1.6 diesel, 4-cylinder, 88-114hp (Renault R9M) 
• OM626: 1.6 diesel, 4-cylinder, 115-136hp (Renault R9M) 
• M282: 1.3 petrol, 4-cylinder, 136-163hp (Renault H5Ht) 

All Mercedes models carrying a Renault engine:

• A 160 (2018 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• A 160 CDI (2012 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• A 160 d (2018 – present) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• A 180 (2018 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• A 180 CDI (2012 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• A 180 d (2018 – 2020) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• A 200 (2018 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• A 220e (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• A 250e (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol

• B 160 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• B 160 CDI (2013 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• B 160 d (2019 – present) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• B 180 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• B 180 CDI (2013 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• B 180 d (2018 – 2020) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• B 200 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• B 250e (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol

• CLA 180 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• CLA 180 CDI (2013 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• CLA 180 d (2018 – 2020) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• CLA 200 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol 
• CLA 250e (2020 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol

• C 180 d (2014 – 2018) – OM626 – 1.6-litre diesel 
• C 200 d (2014 – 2018) – OM626 – 1.6-litre diesel

• GLA 180 d (2014 – 2018) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• GLA 180 d (2018 – 2020) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• GLA 200 (2020 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol

• GLB 180 d (2018 – 2020) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• GLB 200 (2019 – present) – M282 – 1.3-litre petrol

• Citan 108 CDI (2012 – 2021) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 108 CDI (2021 – present) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 109 CDI (2012 – 2021) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 110 / T 160 (2021 – present) – M282 – 1.3 petrol 
• Citan 110 CDI / T 160 d (2021 – present) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 111 CDI (2017 – 2021) – OM607 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 112 CDI / T 180 d (2021 – present) – OM608 – 1.5-litre diesel 
• Citan 113 / T 180 (2021 – present) – M282 – 1.3 petrol 

Which ones are problematic? 

Although these engines are generally appreciated for their efficiency and are as durable as Mercedes' own units, some have a reputation for issues.

1. The OM607-coded 1.5 dCi has common issues as follows, so it’s best to avoid the earlier versions of this engine. The updated OM608 version has fewer of these problems:

•   Injector failures (fuel leaks and blockages) 
•   Wear on the connecting rod bearings (due to lack of maintenance) 
•   Weak oil pump design 
•   Glow plug failures 
•   Turbocharger failures 
•   EGR valve failures (carbon buildup) 
•   DPF (diesel particulate filter) blockages 

2. The OM626-coded 136 hp engine used in pre-facelift W205 C-Class (C200d) is notorious for piston and block failures between 100,000 and 150,000 km, making it the most complained about by users. 

In post-2018 facelift C200d models, the OM654-coded 160 hp 1.6L Mercedes engine was used, which has no known chronic issues.

3. The M282-coded 1.3 TCe, while impressive in terms of performance (as in Renault models), has a plastic thermostat housing that cracks or leaks over time. The leaking coolant can reach the engine, leading to overheating.

Sources: 

https://cartriple.com/mercedes-models-with-a-renault-engine/ 

https://www.autobild.es/noticias/estos-son-5-mercedes-benz-venden-motor-renault-2022-1142905 

https://www.actualidadmotor.com/en/How-to-know-if-my-Mercedes-has-a-Renault-engine/ 

https://lifeonfour.co/engine-problems/om608-om607-engine-reliability-and-problems/ 

https://mbclubtr.com/index.php?threads/c200d-renault-motor.53727/ 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Renault/comments/1devkq1/13_tce_research_as_a_user_with_megane_2021/ 

https://www.capturownersclub.co.uk/threads/thermostat-housing-leak.6455/ 

https://www.qashqaiforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13191