Family hatchback · 1998–2021 cars

Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliability

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails 20.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,140,508 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 58/100#19 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Mercedes-Benz A-Class before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 20.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 9% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,140,508; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The A-Class is a solid pick. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 20.6%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 9% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 19 of 65 family hatchback models, and 2021 cars were the best year, with 32% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Seat belts and airbags are the weak spot, with 165% more fails there than comparable cars.

Check the common faults before you buy. Tyre tread below 1.6mm is the most common failure, so measure it. Check the coil springs for cracks or breaks, top up the washer fluid, make sure brake pads are not worn below 1.5mm, and test every seat belt and check there is no airbag warning light.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mercedes-Benz A-Class ages

Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz A-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAll cars

Mercedes-Benz A-Class first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	All cars
3	10.7%	12.3%
4	12.6%	14.1%
5	14.6%	16.4%
6	17.6%	19.1%
7	20.3%	22.1%
8	23.3%	25.5%
9	25.6%	28.8%
10	26.4%	31.8%
11	28.2%	34.6%
12	33.6%	37.3%
13	36.1%	39.5%
14	38.2%	41.1%
15	40.7%	42.3%
16	40.7%	42.9%
17	42.1%	43.4%
18	43.8%	43.5%
19	45.5%	43.4%
20	45.2%	42.8%
21	46.1%	41.4%
22	42.8%	40.6%
23	45.7%	38.9%
24	48%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Mercedes-Benz A-Class years

2021 cars come out best and 2000 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 A-Class	16,269	8.1%	32% fewer fails	26,600
2020 A-Class	72,733	9.7%	24% fewer fails	29,891
2019 A-Class	160,830	12.3%	11% fewer fails	33,795
2018 A-Class	155,729	13.8%	10% fewer fails	39,005
2017 A-Class	153,218	16.7%	10% fewer fails	48,790
2016 A-Class	143,746	18.9%	13% fewer fails	58,324
2015 A-Class	101,934	22.7%	10% fewer fails	67,412
2014 A-Class	91,444	25.3%	12% fewer fails	77,163
2013 A-Class	62,489	26.5%	16% fewer fails	83,580
2012 A-Class	18,778	29.9%	2% fewer fails	63,920
2011 A-Class	18,865	31.8%	2% fewer fails	65,149
2010 A-Class	21,911	34.8%	1% fewer fails	71,331
2009 A-Class	24,532	37.1%	2% fewer fails	77,120
2008 A-Class	24,373	39.6%	0% fewer fails	83,018
2007 A-Class	22,896	40.6%	0% fewer fails	84,912
2006 A-Class	18,120	41.5%	0% fewer fails	86,838
2005 A-Class	12,334	41.7%	0% fewer fails	84,357
2004 A-Class	5,483	45.7%	9% more fails	79,444
2003 A-Class	5,669	45.2%	8% more fails	80,145
2002 A-Class	4,191	47%	14% more fails	80,917
2001 A-Class	2,711	44.6%	10% more fails	83,001
2000 A-Class	1,175	45.5%	18% more fails	76,756
1999	949	45.6%	26% more fails	76,435

Common problems

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 165% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres6.6%12% above avg
Lights and electrics5.8%24% below avg
Suspension4.4%23% below avg
Brakes4.1%16% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.6%9% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.1%1% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.7%165% above avg
Body, chassis and structure1.2%40% below avg
Wheels0.5%71% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.86% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.67% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.4% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.39% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.24% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 1.24% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.09% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.86% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.64%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.93%
Brake pads wearing thin6.52%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.35%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.28%
Brake discs showing some wear2.53%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz A-Class covers about 8,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel55.3%
Petrol43.4%
Hybrid1.3%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Mercedes-Benz A-Class compares with its rivals

Mercedes-Benz A-Class against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW 1 Series	23.1%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A3	24.4%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Octavia	24.7%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Leon	23.2%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz A-Class	20.6%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic	32.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Astra	34.5%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.

Questions

Mercedes-Benz A-Class questions, answered

Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?

On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is about average: it fails 20.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 19 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.86% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.67% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (1.4% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.6% of its tests.

Which Mercedes-Benz A-Class year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2000 cars do worst (18% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz A-Class do a year?

A typical Mercedes-Benz A-Class covers about 8,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz A-Class before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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