Used car guide · 2005–2012

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 39,661 MOT tests.

2011best year: 66% pass first time, 5 points above all 2011 cars
2006weakest year: 57% pass first time, 0 points above all 2006 cars
Rigid brake pipesthe weak spot that shows up in 6 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2005: 60% pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%) 60% 20052006: 57% pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%) 57% 20062007: 58% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 58% 20072008: 58% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 58% 20082009: 59% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 59% 20092010: 62% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 62% 20102011: 66% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 66% 20112012: 67% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 67% 2012*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200560%58% +2Drive shaft (CV) joints 2.5× usual2,330
200657%57% +0Rigid brake pipes 1.8× usual3,601
200758%57% +1Rigid brake pipes 2.2× usual5,236
200858%57% +1Rigid brake pipes 3× usual6,075
200959%58% +1Rigid brake pipes 3.9× usual6,427
201062%59% +3Rigid brake pipes 3.8× usual5,779
201166%61% +5Rigid brake pipes 3.8× usual5,181
2012*67%63% +4Rigid brake pipes 3× usual5,032

Weak spots across the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 3.9× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

    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) jointsup to 2.5× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.

    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.

  • Washersup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Side repeatersup to 4.8× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2005.

    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.

  • Flexible brake hosesup to 2.6× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

  • Shock absorbersup to 2.2× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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