Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Autotronic CVT (722.8) failure — shudder, limp mode, total loss of drive
Autotronic CVT (722.8) failure — shudder, limp mode, total loss of drive is a common transmission fault on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on the 2005–2012 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $3,500 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 23 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
- Vehicle
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Years
- 2005–2012
- Gearbox
- cvt
- System
- Transmission
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The W169's optional Autotronic continuously variable transmission is the generation's biggest money pit. The electrohydraulic control unit and belt/pulley assembly wear out, causing shudder on take-off, flaring revs, gear-symbol warnings and eventually limp mode or no drive at all. Mercedes sold many W169s in NZ (plus JDM imports) with this box, and repairs frequently exceed the car's value because a replacement or fully rebuilt unit is needed rather than a cheap fix. Fluid changes were 'sealed for life' per Mercedes, which accelerated wear.
What you would notice
- Shudder or juddering pulling away
- Revs flare without matching acceleration
- Transmission warning symbol / 'F' in gear display
- Clunk engaging Drive or Reverse
- Limp mode on the test drive
How to check it
Where to look. Transmission, under the floor between/behind the engine (transverse layout)
Test drive from cold: pull away gently and then briskly, feeling for shudder or slipping.
Watch the tacho — revs rising with no speed increase means belt slip.
Check for a gear-symbol warning on the dash after 15+ minutes of driving.
Ask for invoices showing CVT fluid changes; a car with no fluid-change history is higher risk.
What it costs to put right
$3,500 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the CVT fluid ever been changed, and is there an invoice?”
- “Has the transmission ever been rebuilt or replaced?”
- “Does it ever hesitate or jerk pulling away from lights?”
Now check the Mercedes-Benz A-Class you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- MBClub UK — 'W169 Autotronic CVT failure' threads
- benzworld.org A-Class forum 722.8 rebuild threads
- Honest John Mercedes A-Class (2005-2012) buyer's guide
Mercedes-Benz A-Class buyer questions
Is autotronic cvt (722.8) failure — shudder, limp mode, total loss of drive serious on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
We rate it critical and common on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The W169's optional Autotronic continuously variable transmission is the generation's biggest money pit. The electrohydraulic control unit and belt/pulley assembly wear out, causing shudder on take-off, flaring revs, gear-symbol warnings and eventually limp mode or no drive at all. Mercedes sold many W169s in NZ (plus JDM imports) with this box, and repairs frequently exceed the car's value because a replacement or fully rebuilt unit is needed rather than a cheap fix. Fluid changes were 'sealed for life' per Mercedes, which accelerated wear.
How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
$3,500 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Mercedes-Benz A-Class years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2005–2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Test drive from cold: pull away gently and then briskly, feeling for shudder or slipping. Watch the tacho — revs rising with no speed increase means belt slip. Check for a gear-symbol warning on the dash after 15+ minutes of driving. Ask for invoices showing CVT fluid changes; a car with no fluid-change history is higher risk. Look here: Transmission, under the floor between/behind the engine (transverse layout)