Used car guide

2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs, from 14,296 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,296MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,000typical miles a year
4.8×the usual rate for link ball joint covers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Link ball joint covers4.8× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    9.5% All 2013 cars
    2%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Airbag warning light7.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    3.6% All 2013 cars
    0.5%
    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.

  • Engine warning light2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    4.2% All 2013 cars
    1.6%
    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    4.3% All 2013 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Wheels1.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    2.4% All 2013 cars
    1.4%
    Rough price £70–£150

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.7% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars. Number plate lights: 0.9% here, against 6.1% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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
    25% 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
    15% 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
    9% 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
    3% 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.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

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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%
20125,032Brakes 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score