Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Registered from 1998 to 2025.
About this model
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a car manufactured by German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz. It has been marketed across four generations as a front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, five-door hatchback, with a three-door hatchback offered for the second generation, as well as a saloon version for the fourth.
From the Wikipedia article Mercedes-Benz A-Class, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2019 1.3 petrol. 2,387 of 26,223 tests failed, 9%.
Better than 48% of 2019 cars. The typical one fails 9%, across 908 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 52% | 1,232 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 24% | 567 |
| Brakes | 18% | 424 |
| Visibility | 13% | 312 |
| Lights and electrics | 7% | 164 |
| Suspension | 3% | 74 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 98% of 2019 cars — 24% of its 2,387 failed tests, where an ordinary 2019 car has 2%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 52% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 18% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 7% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Seat belts and airbags — 24% of its failures
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 15% of its inspections, against the 16% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 5% | 7,086 | |
| 20–40k miles | 9% | 9% | 14,159 | |
| 40–60k miles | 13% | 12% | 3,957 | |
| 60–80k miles | 15% | 14% | 828 | |
| 80–100k miles | 17% | 14% | 140 | |
| 100–120k miles | 15% | 16% | 41 |
26,211 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.3 petrol · 158 hp · 1727 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 1.2 L/100km (WLTP) · 190 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1455 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1373 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 5.8 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.3 petrol · 161 hp · 1373 kg · 2729 mm wheelbase · 6.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.5 diesel · 112 hp · 1433 kg · 2719 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1402 kg · 2698 mm wheelbase · 3.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1410 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1410 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1405 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 3.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.5 diesel · 107 hp · 1394 kg · 2699 mm wheelbase · 3.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 petrol · 154 hp · 1382 kg · 2698 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 107 hp · 1363 kg · 2568 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/22
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00149/22
The connection of the power supply to the electrical power steering may have been contaminated by heat-activated adhesive.Ageing of this adhesive could lead to a loss of clamping force and thus to a loose connection that may lead to interruption of the power supply. As a result, the electrical power steering could fail spontaneously, even while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00531/22
Improper torque of the screws on the brake caliper housing can cause the screw connections to become loose. As a result, the braking performance would be reduced and components of the brake caliper may be lost, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00940/24
The steering software may not correctly activate the fallback level in the event of a hardware failure. This could affect the power steering assistance and lead to the loss of steering capacity, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Update of the electric steering software
A12/01236/20
The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel.In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0138/19
A metal chip formed during the assembly process within the ESP hydraulic unit could block a non-return valve. As a consequence, the non-return valve might no longer be able to close, affecting performance of the brake-pedal. This could increase the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01428/23
The fitted tyres may not meet the load requirements and could be damaged while the vehicle is being driven. This could cause an accident and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0147/19
The flat conductor of the starter wiring has been incorrectly positioned, damaging the insulation of the flat conductor. The direct contact between the flat conductor and the car body may consequently lead to a short circuit and fire.
Recall of the product from end users
11 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.