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Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20253 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz A-Class built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz A-Class models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Mercedes-Benz A-Class by number plate

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz A-Class models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz A-Class models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your A-Class's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

A-Class W177/V177

W177/V177 (2018-2025)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

16.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 48,174 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A-Class W176

W176 (2012-2017)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

19.4% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 19,554 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A-Class W169

W169 (2004-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

27.1% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 7,211 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz A-Class generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
W177/V177 (2018-2025)
Average
Average16.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 48,174 MOT tests at this age
W176 (2012-2017)
Average
Average19.4%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 19,554 MOT tests at this age
W169 (2004-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.1%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 7,211 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the A-Class, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz A-Class fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz A-Class ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,6598.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
26,16410.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
41,84512.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
56,14913.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
48,17416.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
49,59918.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
42,40920.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
33,39022.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
26,04924.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
11,60324.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
7,80625.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
7,21127.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
8,76828.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
8,48630.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
8,07030.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,07230.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,51131.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,94829.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,50233.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,09132.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
81632.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
30228.8%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
30034.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mercedes-Benz A-Class stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mercedes-Benz models

13th of 15

13th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

39th of 84

39th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

16.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    21.1%
    Advisory: 13,885Fail: 1,310 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.1%
    Advisory: 7,279Fail: 1,689 (19% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.7%
    Advisory: 5,561Fail: 806 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    8.2%
    Advisory: 5,656Fail: 60 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.0%
    Advisory: 3,202Fail: 263 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 48,174 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres44%
  2. Other + Tyres21%
  3. Brakes + Other15%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 11,435 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

100 recalls in all

75 of the 100 Mercedes-Benz A-Class recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 Critical
  • 67 more

Top concerns

  • A designed perforation in the dashboard may not match the current specification. The airbag could be damaged as it open
  • Driver's airbag gas generator housing failure during deployment
  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both built around 2018.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz A-Class across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 13th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 48,174 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz A-Class ever sold: 400,924 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 48,174 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.