Used car guide

2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 6,075 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,075MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,100typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    28.4% All 2008 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £100–£400

    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.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    16.1% All 2008 cars
    8%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    14.7% All 2008 cars
    7.2%
    Rough price £60–£350

    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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    8.7% All 2008 cars
    4%
    Rough price £50–£200

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

  • Washers2.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    8% All 2008 cars
    3.9%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.7% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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
    49% 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.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% 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
    13% 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%
201840,350Tyres 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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score