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Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 (2020-present) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 models built around 2020 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLA H247?

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

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Mercedes-Benz GLA H247
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2020-presentSUVDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 22,729 tests of GLA models registered 2020+.

About 1 in 12 petrol GLA cars registered in 2022 (8.5%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 2,692 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 GLA H247 MOTs (1.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 6,667 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 25 GLA H247 MOTs (3.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 6,667 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

H247 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
6,7447.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,3188.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6,66710.0%

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 5 years old.

How the GLA H247 compares

At each age below, see how the GLA H247 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 124,145 tests across 22 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,7447.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,3188.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6,66710.0%

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 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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the GLA H247.

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 on these figures.

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

    1,475 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 7.1%, against 10.0% for the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247, both built around 2020.

    4,133 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    4.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 4.9%, against 10.0% for the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247, both built around 2020.

    1,790 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Honda HR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.6%, against 1.5% for the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247.

    4,166 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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

54 recalls in all

11 of the 54 GLA H247 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 11 recalls

Top concerns

  • SRPC2415 - sealing ring of exhaust manifold
  • SRPC2404 – backup function of steering software
  • Locking pawl spring of the left hand side door locks might not be greased correctly

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol GLA tests (not specific to H247).

1.0 to 1.4 litres8.7%1,384 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres11.5%11,812 tests
How GLA H247 cars have aged

How GLA H247 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%345Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (6,976 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (6,114 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (7,427 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (6,889 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (6,667 tests, 2025 data)2020
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020
H247 variants compared

GLA H247 variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each GLA H247 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • GLA 200 AMG LINE EDITION + A9.6%1,652 tests
  • GLA 180 AMG LINE EDITION AUTO9.4%1,389 tests
  • GLA13.3%1,349 tests
  • GLA 200 AMG LINE EXECUTIVE A8.3%264 tests
  • GLA 200 AMG LINE AUTO8.8%260 tests
  • GLA 200 AMG LINE PREMIUM AUTO8.3%252 tests
  • GLA 200 SPORT AUTO8.7%218 tests
  • GLA 200 SPORT EXECUTIVE AUTO10.6%217 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

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

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz GLA built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the H247 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

    17.6%
    Advisory: 3,393Fail: 323 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.6%
    Advisory: 2,787Fail: 209 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.2%
    Advisory: 1,669Fail: 258 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    4.5%
    Advisory: 856Fail: 9 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    3.9%
    Advisory: 717Fail: 38 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,092 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz GLA H247?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 (2020-present) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 6,667 5-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 22,729 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz GLA models first registered from 2020. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.