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Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2012-2017) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 built around 2017: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 models built around 2017 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 models built around 2017 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 models built around 2017 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
average reliability2012-2017HatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 187,566 tests of A-Class models registered 2012-2017.

About 1 in 30 A-Class W176 MOTs (3.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2017 (8 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 49,599 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 A-Class W176 MOTs (6.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2017 (8 years old).

Based on 49,599 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W176 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
19,78717.6%
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
4,72925.0%

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 13 years old.

How the A-Class W176 compares

At each age below, see how the A-Class W176 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 184,960 tests across 17 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2017 (8 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
19,78717.6%
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
4,72925.0%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

Brake pads

High priority

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

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the A-Class W176.

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 13.7%, against 18.9% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176, both built around 2017.

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

    54,388 MOT tests on cars built around 2017

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.8%

    Lower fail rate: 15.8%, against 18.9% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176, both built around 2017.

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

    3,903 MOT tests on cars built around 2017

  3. 3

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.6%, against 18.9% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176, both built around 2017.

    18,269 MOT tests on cars built around 2017

  4. 4

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 12.8%, against 18.9% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176, both built around 2017.

    3,414 MOT tests on cars built around 2017

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.

How many are still registered

93%of all Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

34 of the 100 A-Class W176 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 28 more

Top concerns

  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Steering components may be insufficiently grounded
  • Starting current limiter may overload

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel A-Class tests (not specific to W176).

1.4 to 2.0 litres20.7%22,779 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres18.5%13,093 tests
How A-Class W176 cars have aged

How A-Class W176 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%4681012Age at MOTBuilt around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (33,247 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (31,353 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (30,634 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (30,163 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (30,045 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (29,648 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (28,731 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (28,239 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.3% (27,854 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (28,041 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (20,948 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (20,569 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (20,165 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (19,934 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (19,912 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (17,842 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (17,621 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (17,245 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (16,936 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (16,575 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (10,441 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (10,276 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (9,970 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (9,738 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (9,552 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (5,035 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (5,001 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (5,016 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (4,909 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (4,729 tests, 2025 data)2012
First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014
W176 variants compared

A-Class W176 variants built around 2017

The fail rate for each A-Class W176 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • A-CLASS19.9%35,783 tests

Petrol

  • A-CLASS16.4%13,689 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz A-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz A-Class built around 2017, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W176 on its own.

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

    20.8%
    Advisory: 13,786Fail: 1,380 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.8%
    Advisory: 6,999Fail: 1,874 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.3%
    Advisory: 5,319Fail: 875 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    9.7%
    Advisory: 6,675Fail: 102 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.2%
    Advisory: 3,243Fail: 340 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 49,599 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2017 (8 years old), the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2012-2017) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 49,599 8-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 187,566 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz A-Class models first registered between 2012-2017. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.