Selling a used Mercedes GLC: X254 changes, coupe and recalls

How fast a GLC sells depends on who buys it. Selling to us, the offer comes by phone and the deposit is often paid the same day. One Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe owner had the inspection done, the car sold and cleared funds in his account in less than 3 business days from his first enquiry. If there is finance owing, settlement usually takes 2 to 3 business days.

What has changed is the car. The X254 GLC that launched in Australia in June 2023 arrived as a single mild-hybrid GLC 300 4MATIC, and GLCs from these years carry a run of recalls that buyers check by VIN.

Which GLC do you have?

The GLC has had two generations in the years we buy. A GLC sold new in 2021 or 2022 is the first generation. The second generation, known by its X254 code, launched in Australia in June 2023, so a GLC sold new from mid-2023 is most likely the newer car. If you are not sure, the VIN on your rego papers settles it on the first call.

The first-generation line-up is the 2022 range as CarExpert reported it. X254 line-ups and timing are as CarExpert, carsales and GoAuto reported them at each launch.

What changed with the X254 GLC 300 4MATIC?

The X254 launched with one variant, the GLC 300 4MATIC. It uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 190kW and 400Nm, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that adds 17kW and 200Nm of boost. There was no GLC 200 and no plug-in hybrid at launch. Both came later: a GLC 200 4MATIC in March 2025 and a GLC 350e plug-in hybrid SUV in September 2025, GoAuto and carsales reported.

New-car prices went up too. CarExpert reported the GLC 300 4MATIC at $104,900 before on-road costs at launch, $12,600 more than the outgoing model, and the new coupe at $113,900, about $10,000 more than the coupe it replaced. Those are new-car list prices, quoted for context only. They are not what a used GLC is worth, which comes down to its kilometres, condition, history and the market on the day.

Is a GLC coupe or AMG harder to sell?

Coupe and AMG versions usually appeal to a narrower group of buyers than the GLC 300 SUV. The coupe’s sloping roofline is the whole point for the people who want one and a reason others pass. Privately, a smaller pool of buyers usually means a longer wait for the right one.

AMG buyers also need to know which engine they are looking at. The X254 AMG GLC 43 swapped the old V6 for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 48-volt assistance (310kW and 500Nm). The X254 GLC 63 S E Performance swapped the V8 for a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid with 500kW and 1,020Nm combined and a 6.1kWh battery. In July 2026, CarExpert reported a six-cylinder AMG GLC 53 replacing both four-cylinder models in Australia, due in showrooms from September 2026. If you are selling a 63 S E Performance, keep the charging cables with the car.

Selling to a dealer takes most of the waiting out. The offer is made on the call from the exact variant, year, kilometres and a few photos, so you are not waiting for a coupe or AMG buyer to find your ad. We buy AMG models the same way we buy any prestige car: offer first, payment before collection.

Which recalls apply to a used GLC?

These recalls on the Australian Government’s recall site, vehiclerecalls.gov.au, can touch a 2021-on GLC. The details come from the recall notices and CarExpert’s recall reports. The list is not exhaustive, so always check your own VIN. Vehicle numbers are national totals across every model in each recall.

Recall notices usually include a list of the affected VINs. You can also give your VIN to a Mercedes-Benz dealer or to Mercedes-Benz Australia and ask which campaigns are open. Recall work is free at an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer. Recall letters go to the owner details on record, so if you bought the car second-hand or have moved, you may have missed one. Our guide to checking open recalls before you sell walks through the steps for any make.

What do the footwell cover and tow point recalls involve?

The footwell cover recall, REC-005714, is the one a buyer will ask about first, because it involves the accelerator pedal. A manufacturing defect means the footwell cover can interfere with the pedal while driving, which the recall notice says raises the risk of an accident. If a dealer has already done the repair, keep the paperwork. If you bought the GLC second-hand, ask a dealer to check the VIN, because the first owner may not have had it done.

The front tow point recall, REC-005791, matters when the car is towed from the front. The connection depth of the tow point may not meet specification, so it could detach under load. The recall notice warns that a tow point detaching raises the risk of serious injury or death to occupants, bystanders and other road users. If it shows as open on your VIN, have it done or tell the buyer.

What about the drive, steering and door-lock recalls?

REC-006187 covers certain C-Class, E-Class, GLC and CLS models from 2021 to 2023 fitted with the 48-volt system. A software issue in the engine control unit can switch off the fuel injectors as the car comes out of coasting mode, and the car may suddenly lose drive. Only 386 vehicles are listed across all those models, so few GLCs are likely to be included, but it is a quick VIN check.

The AMG GLC 63 S recall, REC-006318, is also a software issue, and the work is free at an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer. REC-006414 is a steering one: CarExpert reported the risk as a loss of steering control, so a buyer will want to see it closed.

The newest recall may well still be open on your car, because the repair is waiting on parts. REC-006695, announced in August 2026, covers 58,822 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. CarExpert reported that Mercedes-Benz will contact owners to book the free repair once parts are available, and that until then drivers should always select Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the car. If your GLC is included and the part is not in yet, you can still sell it. Tell the buyer, keep the letter and pass on the recall number.

What does a buyer check on a used GLC?

A private buyer or a dealer’s inspector works through this list.

• Recall status. Every campaign in the table above, with paperwork for any already done.
• Service history. Mercedes-Benz records servicing in its Digital Service Booklet rather than a stamped paper logbook. Authorised workshops, and independent workshops given access to the system, enter the work, and a Digital Service Report is printed for the customer. Read more on how service history affects value.
• Warranty start date. Mercedes-Benz Australia’s factory warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres for cars in private use. A GLC first registered in 2021 has reached, or is close to, the end of five years, so know the date.
• Both keys. Inspectors ask for both, and a missing one is noted.
• Tyres and brakes. On AMG models in particular, both are checked closely.
• Warning messages. Any message on the instrument cluster, including ones that come and go.
• Modifications. Aftermarket wheels or engine tunes narrow the pool of buyers, so mention them up front.
• Charging cables. For a GLC 300 e, GLC 350e or GLC 63 S E Performance, the cables should be with the car.

Selling a GLC with finance or a balloon

If your GLC is on finance, you can still sell it. We deal with your lender directly to pay out the loan, then pay any equity to you. Settlement usually takes 2 to 3 business days. If you owe more than the car is worth, the difference has to be covered before settlement, and we show you the numbers before you decide.

The badge matters here. European luxury cars are widely reported to lose value faster than Japanese and Lexus equivalents, and higher parts and servicing costs once the warranty ends are the reason usually given. Published depreciation figures are indicative only, so treat any percentage you read online as a rough guide. If a large balloon is coming up, find out what the car is worth now rather than assuming it covers the balloon.

Here is how the maths works, with made-up numbers that are not a GLC valuation. Say your lender’s payout figure is $60,000 and you accept an offer of $68,000. The lender receives $60,000 and the remaining $8,000 is paid to you. If the offer were $55,000 instead, you would need to cover the $5,000 gap before settlement. Our guide on whether to sell or refinance when a balloon is due covers the options in more detail.

What one GLC 43 owner experienced

Rahul A, from Sylvania in NSW, sold his Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe to us. In his words, “In less than 3 business days from my initial enquiry, I had an inspection completed, my car sold, with funds cleared in my bank account”. He also wrote, “No haggling, or dealerships trying to get a lower price”.

Every sale to us follows the same order:

1. You send through your GLC’s details and get a genuine offer by phone.
2. You accept, and the deposit is paid, often the same day.
3. The inspection happens at a time and place that suits you.
4. The balance is paid into your bank account.
5. You confirm the funds have cleared.
6. We arrange collection, anywhere in Australia.

His timing was his experience, not a promise. You can read his full review and others on our testimonials page.

Getting a genuine offer on your GLC

If you are weighing up a private sale, the real questions are how long you can wait, and how much of the recall, finance and paperwork side you want to handle yourself. A coupe or AMG can take longer to find the right private buyer, and every open recall is one more thing to explain.

If you would rather have a number first, we buy GLCs from 2021 or newer with 100,000 km or less. Older or higher-kilometre GLC? Send it through anyway and we will tell you straight away if we can help. The offer comes by phone from a licensed dealer, not an online estimate. The valuation is free with no obligation, and there are no fees taken out of the offer. We prepare the sale paperwork and help with the transfer of ownership. Usually no roadworthy or safety certificate is needed when you sell to us, though rules differ by state and we confirm what applies on the call. Start with your car’s details on our GLC page, or call 1800 73 55 73.