Buy Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Bumper Covers

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 bumper cover (also called a bumper skin, fascia, or outer shell).

Key points in one paragraph

The CLA 250's bumper cover is a lightweight polypropylene shell that dresses up the car, hides crash-absorbing beams, and houses tech such as Parktronic distance sensors. The part differs slightly by model year (2014-2025) and by styling package (standard, AMG Line, Night Package). Replacing it typically means removing wheel-liner fasteners, under-tray bolts, and sensor harnesses; painting requires an adhesion promoter made for olefin plastics. U.S. law caps passenger-car bumper height at 20 inches, so proper installation and recalibration of sensors keeps the cover legal and the driver-assist features accurate. A new painted cover can cost over $1,000 once labor and sensor work are included, but minor dents in the soft plastic are often repairable with heat or filler. Recycled bumper shells-mostly thermoplastic polyolefin-are now being diverted from landfills in growing numbers. (Mercedes-Benz USA, Car and Driver, SAGE Journals, NHTSA, carwise, plasticsindustry.org)

Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLA 250 four-door "coupe" in 2014 and continues the model through 2025, adding refreshed styling, LED lighting, and driver-assist tech along the way. (Car and Driver, Mercedes-Benz USA)
The bumper cover is the outermost layer you see; it clips over a metal reinforcement bar and energy-absorbing foam. Its job is mainly cosmetic, but it also smooths airflow, reduces pedestrian injury risk, and protects parking sensors. (SAGE Journals, Mercedes CLA)

Fitment Years

• 2014-2019: chassis code C117-standard and AMG Line covers look different but interchange within the generation. (Mercedes CLA)
• 2020-2025: chassis code C118-new grille shape and larger sensor openings; Night Package adds gloss-black lower inserts. (Mercedes-Benz USA)
  Before ordering, match year, AMG styling, parking-sensor holes, and exhaust tip cut-outs.

Build & Materials

Mercedes molds the cover from polypropylene (often talc- or glass-fiber-reinforced) because PP is light, resists minor impacts, and is easy to recycle. (SAGE Journals)
Average bare weight is 6-8 lb, keeping the CLA's curb weight low for better fuel economy. (SAGE Journals)

Purpose & Benefits

• Aero - directs air around tires to cut drag.
• Safety - works with the steel beam to absorb 5 mph taps. (NHTSA)
• Tech housing - holds radar, ultrasonic sensors, and front camera without blocking signals. (Mercedes CLA)
• Style - AMG Line bumper gives deeper air intakes for a sportier look. (Mercedes-Benz USA)

Sensor Technology

Parktronic and Active Parking Assist rely on eight ultrasonic eyes clipped into the cover; after any replacement the sensors must sit flush, and the control unit may need recalibration. (Mercedes CLA, MBWorld)
If a sensor is misaligned, the dash will flash red bars or beep constantly until fixed. (Mercedes CLA)

Style Choices

• Standard - horizontal slats, body-color finish.
• AMG Line - honeycomb mesh, bigger lower lip.
• Night Package - gloss-black inserts and trim. (Mercedes-Benz USA)
  Front and rear covers are not cross-compatible between these packages without extra brackets.

Installation Steps

1. Turn wheels outward and remove the seven T25 screws in each wheel-liner corner. (Mercedes CLA)
2. Undo under-tray bolts (8 mm) and the three radiator-duct bolts.
3. Disconnect fog-light or sensor harnesses.
4. Slide the bumper skin forward while a helper supports the sides.
   A video walk-through shows the full process on 2013-2019 models. Watch here.

Painting & Finishing

Plastic does not hold paint well by itself. Use an adhesion promoter designed for polyolefin bumpers, then primer-sealer, base-coat, and clear-coat. (3M, Autobody 101)
Light sanding between coats prevents peeling later.

Care & Maintenance

Wash with pH-neutral soap; avoid harsh degreasers that can dry the plastic.
Fix small dents by warming the inner surface with a hair dryer and pressing gently-soft PP often "pops" back out. (Consumer Reports)
Touch-up paint pens hide stone chips; deeper gouges may need flexible filler.

Safety & Legal

U.S. bumper standard 49 CFR 581 limits passenger-car bumper height to 20 in. When installing lowering springs or bigger wheels, re-check height to stay legal. (NHTSA)
After any collision, inspect radar and ultrasonic mounting pads-misplaced sensors can disable automatic braking. (MBWorld)

Environmental Impact

Each year about 145 million lb of thermoplastic bumpers reach scrap yards, but pilot projects show TPO covers can be ground and reused in wheel-liner or fan-shroud parts. (plasticsindustry.org, plasticsindustry.org)
Ultra-Poly Corporation now recycles roughly 1.2 million lb of bumper plastic annually, earning a 2024 sustainability award. (plasticsindustry.org)
Learn more at the Plastics Industry Association's ELV page.

Cost Factors

• Parts: unpainted cover $300-$600; sensors $80-$150 each. (carwise)
• Paint & labor: $400-$700 depending on color-match complexity.
• Recalibration: $100-$250 for driver-assist sensors.
  Full replacement commonly exceeds $1,000 on luxury cars like the CLA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2021 bumper cover fit my 2018 CLA 250?
A: No. 2014-2019 and 2020-2025 covers attach differently and have different sensor locations. (Mercedes CLA, Mercedes-Benz USA)

Q: What material is the cover made from?
A: It is injection-molded polypropylene reinforced for impact strength. (SAGE Journals)

Q: Do I need to repaint a primed bumper?
A: Yes. Primer only seals the plastic; you still need base and clear coats for UV protection. (3M)

Q: Can I reuse my old parking sensors?
A: Usually yes-just unclip them, but handle gently and clean the rubber grommets before reinstalling. (Mercedes CLA)

Q: Is it legal to drive without the cover?
A: Temporarily, but you risk damaging exposed wiring and may violate local fender or pedestrian-safety rules. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I fix minor scuffs?
A: Wet-sand with 1500-grit, apply plastic adhesion promoter, then touch-up paint. (Autobody 101)

Q: Can heat guns warp the plastic?
A: Yes-keep the gun moving and stay below 200 °F to avoid distortions. (Consumer Reports)

Q: Where is the radar module?
A: Adaptive-braking radar sits behind the central star emblem, while ultrasonic sensors sit in the bumper skin itself. (MBWorld)

Q: What torque spec for bumper bolts?
A: Mercedes lists 8 N·m for wheel-liner screws and 20 N·m for the main side brackets on the CLA. (Mercedes CLA)

Q: Are recycled bumper covers safe?
A: Yes-when properly remolded, recycled PP meets industry strength standards such as SAE J400 for impact. (SAGE Journals)

Helpful outbound resources

• Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe page - design and options
• NHTSA bumper regulations - federal height rule
• 3M plastic-repair SOP - step-by-step paint prep
• Consumer Reports guide to fixing bumper dents
• Carwise cost breakdown
• Plastics Industry Association ELV recycling