Used car guide

2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 5,032 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,032MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,400typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    16.6% All 2012 cars
    5.5%
    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.

  • Side repeaters4.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    5.8% All 2012 cars
    1.2%
    Rough price £10–£80

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

  • Corroded fuel pipes11.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    2.3% All 2012 cars
    0.2%
    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.

  • Washers1.5× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    4.3% All 2012 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

  • Engine warning light1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    3.1% All 2012 cars
    1.8%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.9% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 2% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 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
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    4% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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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%
20115,181Brakes 39%
20105,779Brakes 42%
20096,427Brakes 49%
20086,075Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score