Used car guide

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLAs, from 8,982 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,982MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,800typical miles a year
27%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    14% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,760Tyres 21%
20218,759Tyres 22%
201916,743Tyres 32%
201816,404Tyres 31%
201712,764Tyres 29%
201610,579Tyres 29%
20158,798Tyres 30%
20143,429Tyres 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLAs registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score