Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate: 77.8% (232,671 tests, 2025)

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class passed 77.8% of its 232,671 MOT tests in 2025 — right on the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 9 years old with 70,760 miles on the clock.
77.8%Pass rate (2025)
232,671MOT tests analysed
70,760 miMedian mileage at test
9 yrsMedian age at test

How the A-Class compares

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

77.8%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Mercedes-Benz average (all models)

80.7%

What fails most on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the A-Class:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension25,75523.7%
2Tyres22,63220.8%
3Brakes18,22616.8%
4Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment17,21015.8%
5Visibility9,8589.1%
6Noise, emissions and leaks6,5446.0%

Pre-MOT checklist for A-Class owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • Replace smeared wiper blades and top up washer fluid — both are test items
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

A-Class pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2001, 2002, 2003. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2010, 2011. Full ranking and method: Mercedes-Benz A-Class years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2001 1,818 65.4% -1.1 pts 79,515
2002 2,815 64.4% -1.3 pts 75,501
2003 3,857 64.4% -0.6 pts 76,500
2004 3,730 65.9% +1.6 pts 76,882
2005 8,651 67.0% +2.5 pts 83,365
2006 13,003 66.2% +1.8 pts 86,390
2007 17,866 67.2% +2.1 pts 86,508
2008 19,814 66.6% +1.4 pts 85,074
2009 20,446 67.9% +1.5 pts 79,876
2010 18,193 70.1% +2.8 pts 74,461
2011 15,999 73.2% +4.1 pts 68,560
2012 15,343 73.8% +2.6 pts 66,954
2013 43,320 75.0% +1.7 pts 88,894
2014 68,394 76.2% +0.4 pts 83,096
2015 79,336 79.0% +0.2 pts 73,226
2016 112,680 81.3% -0.0 pts 64,332
2017 120,411 83.6% -0.4 pts 54,941
2018 119,232 86.7% +0.3 pts 45,347
2019 25,558 87.8% -0.6 pts 39,598

Check a specific A-Class before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

C78.2% pass rate · 343,551 tests E79.7% pass rate · 215,896 tests A89.1% pass rate · 93,733 tests Vito73.4% pass rate · 81,263 tests GLC87.2% pass rate · 65,847 tests GLA83.1% pass rate · 64,404 tests CLA82.7% pass rate · 62,279 tests B-Class74.9% pass rate · 60,589 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2025, 77.8% of 232,671 first MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the A-Class fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (23.7% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 77.8% it performs above the national average at a median age of 9 years and 70,760 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.