Mercedes-Benz A-Class common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 330,691 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4% of tests of 2010–2012 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 13× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (11×); srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault) (8.8×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.2×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side repeaters: not working | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4% | 0.3% | 13× | 2,285 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.3% | 0.5% | 11× | 5,086 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.5% | 0.4% | 8.8× | 14,548 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 4.9% | 0.6% | 8.2× | 933 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.3% | 1% | 5.3× | 2,108 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 27% | 5.2% | 5.3× | 2,108 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 15% | 2.8% | 5.3× | 1,002 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 8.5% | 1.7% | 5× | 317 |
Mercedes-Benz A-Class by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 28,942 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (9.5%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 64,724 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 27,648 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (4%, 1.5×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6,723 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (4.4%, 1.6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,418 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (4.4%, 1.6×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 349 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | — |
Mercedes-Benz A-Class by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 299 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4×) |
| 2001 | 702 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.1×) |
| 2002 | 1,046 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.2×) |
| 2003 | 1,491 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (8×) |
| 2004 | 1,505 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (11×) |
| 2005 | 3,573 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (11×) |
| 2006 | 5,294 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (13×) |
| 2007 | 6,830 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9.2×) |
| 2008 | 7,316 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (11×) |
| 2009 | 7,359 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (7.8×) |
| 2010 | 6,453 | Side repeaters: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (12×) |
| 2011 | 5,591 | Side repeaters: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (13×) |
| 2012 | 5,401 | Side repeaters: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (10×) |
| 2013 | 16,034 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (7.4×) |
| 2014 | 23,885 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (9.7×) |
| 2015 | 27,007 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (12×) |
| 2016 | 38,328 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.4×) |
| 2017 | 40,993 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.6×) |
| 2018 | 41,332 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (1.8×) |
| 2019 | 52,120 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (1.6×) |
| 2020 | 36,478 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (1.6×) |
| 2021 | 1,388 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (1.7×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
In 330,691 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4% of tests of 2010–2012 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 13× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (11×); srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault) (8.8×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.2×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Why do Mercedes-Benz A-Classs fail the MOT?
Across 330,691 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class were tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.1% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (2.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz A-Class problems start?
The clearest Mercedes-Benz A-Class-specific issue, side repeaters (not working), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2010–2012 cars (4% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mercedes-Benz A-Class data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 330,691 tests of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.