2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

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

• Rigid brake pipes3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  27.9% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  14.4% All 2008 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  12.6% All 2008 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Flexible brake hoses2.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  7.6% All 2008 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

• Washers2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  7.6% All 2008 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 3.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

Common 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failures and advisories

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
  47% 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
  33% 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
  33% 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
  28% 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
  13% 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Poor reliability: suspension and electrical faults

  All engines

  Faults were incredibly common, especially suspension and electrical ones, and the average repair bill was over £500.

  At the viewing: Get a pre-purchase inspection, listen for suspension knocks and test every electrical item.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2005-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. What has gone wrong and been fixed?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?