Used car guide

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 123 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 123 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

123MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
2,800typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    32.5% All 1999 cars
    15.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020106Tyres 30%
20198,517Tyres 29%
201840,351Tyres 32%
201740,581Tyres 34%
201637,860Tyres 34%
201526,503Tyres 34%
201422,674Tyres 35%
201314,296Tyres 34%
20125,032Brakes 34%
20115,181Brakes 39%
20105,779Brakes 42%
20096,427Brakes 49%
20086,075Brakes 49%
20075,236Brakes 47%
20063,601Brakes 47%
20052,330Brakes 42%
2004907Brakes 51%
2003974Brakes 54%
2002691Suspension 50%
2001448Suspension 50%
2000163Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score