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

Used car guide

2006 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 3,601 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,601MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    25.4% All 2006 cars
    14.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    18.3% All 2006 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.4% of all 2006 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.

  • Washers2.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    8.6% All 2006 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.8% of all 2006 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    9.3% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Corroded fuel pipes4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    3.2% All 2006 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.6% here, against 13.7% of all 2006 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 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
    47% 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
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • 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
    15% 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%
20052,330Brakes 42%
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 2006 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score