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Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 built around 2021: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 models built around 2021 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQA H243?

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

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz EQA H243
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2021-presentSUVELECTRICITY

Based on 8,374 tests of EQA models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 8 electricity EQA cars registered in 2022 (12.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 4,145 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 EQA H243 MOTs (1.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,971 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 30 EQA H243 MOTs (3.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 2,971 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

H243 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,4039.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,9718.7%

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 3 years old.

How the EQA H243 compares

At each age below, see how the EQA H243 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 86,228 tests across 25 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,4039.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,9718.7%

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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.

Windscreen

If you have time

Inspect for chips and cracks in the wiper sweep area (Zone A) — these will fail an MOT.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the EQA H243.

  1. 1

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 6.0%, against 8.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQA H243, both built around 2021.

    4,973 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 5.1%, against 8.7% for the Mercedes-Benz EQA H243, both built around 2021.

    1,784 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Volkswagen ID4 1ST Edition

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 on these figures.

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

    1,711 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Toyota Yaris Cross

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.6%, against 1.5% for the Mercedes-Benz EQA H243.

    1,425 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

All 5 EQA H243 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • SRPC2500 – update battery management system control unit software
  • SRPC2404 – backup function of steering software
  • Certain vehicles might not have been equipped with the printed owner's manual

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

H243 variants compared

EQA H243 variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each EQA H243 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Electricity

  • EQA 250 AMG LINE9.0%1,781 tests
  • EQA 250 AMG LINE PREMIUM7.9%582 tests
  • EQA 250 SPORT10.0%230 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz EQA models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz EQA built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the H243 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

    17.4%
    Advisory: 799Fail: 46 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.4%
    Advisory: 664Fail: 80 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.2%
    Advisory: 107Fail: 105 (50% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    2.1%
    Advisory: 69Fail: 11 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    1.7%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,972 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQA H243?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Mercedes-Benz EQA H243 (2021-present) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,971 4-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 8,374 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz EQA models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.