Part of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169 (2005–2012) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 2,330 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,330MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    18.3% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Washers2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    8.2% All 2005 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 3.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Corroded fuel pipes5.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    3.9% All 2005 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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.

  • Steering rack2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    4.2% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Side repeaters2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    3.9% All 2005 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.8% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    42% 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
    37% 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
    35% 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
2004907Brakes 51%
2003974Brakes 54%
2002691Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score