Used car guide · 1998–2026

Mercedes-Benz A-Class common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 795,242 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as a whole.

6,741registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

Generation guides: Mercedes-Benz A-Class W169 (2005–2012) · Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2012–2018) · Mercedes-Benz A-Class W177 (2018–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Poor reliability: suspension and electrical faults

    Cars registered 2005–2011 · 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

  • Oil leak and engine recalls

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Recalls covered engine oil leaks and a fault that could cause engine failure.

    At the viewing: Look for oil under the car and around the engine, and ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Mercedes A-Class Mk3 reliability

  • Many recalls (22 so far)

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · All engines

    This A-Class has had 22 recalls, including faulty crankshafts that needed a new engine, leaking turbos, suspension uprights, loose rear axle bolts, the emergency braking system and the panoramic roof.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN, and get proof every recall has been done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mercedes A-Class (Mk4, 2018 on) review

  • Driveshaft recall

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    A 2015 recall covered the driveshafts.

    At the viewing: Listen for clicking on full lock and feel for vibration when accelerating.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Mercedes A-Class Mk3 reliability

  • Electrical faults and rattles

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · All engines

    Electrical issues were the top owner complaint, and early cars had seatbelt and dashboard rattles.

    At the viewing: Test every electric function and listen for rattles over bumps.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Mercedes A-Class Mk3 reliability

Common Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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 absorbers

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

  • Washers

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Side repeaters

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

Diesel

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Washers

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2017.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 14× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class did best (67% passed first time, 5 points above all 2011 cars) and the 2019 did worst (85%, 0 points above all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3738
202291%89% +218,713
202190%87% +360,031
202084%87% -3252 (small sample)
201985%85% +025,714
201884%83% +1119,754
201780%80% +0120,922
201678%77% +1113,202
201574%74% +079,796
201471%70% +168,784
201370%67% +343,599
201268%64% +415,427
201167%62% +516,093
201064%60% +418,296
200961%59% +220,571
200859%57% +219,943
200758%57% +117,982
200658%56% +213,121
200558%57% +18,721
200455%57% -23,765
200354%57% -33,911
200255%58% -32,845
200157%60% -31,837
200055%61% -6729
199953%63% -10496 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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. Has all the recall work been done?
  3. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Mercedes dealer confirm from the VIN?
  4. Has the driveshaft recall been done?
  5. Have there been any electrical faults?
  6. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score