2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate: 83.0% (31,346 tests)
Is the 2016 GLA getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85.6% +2.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 83.0% +1.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 80.5% +1.0 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 GLA
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3,195 | 33.5% |
| 2 | Tyres | 2,203 | 23.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,295 | 13.6% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 740 | 7.8% |
| 5 | Visibility | 691 | 7.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 570 | 6.0% |
All GLA years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10,206 | 83.4% | +7.5 pts | 73,392 |
| 2015 | 26,123 | 82.1% | +3.4 pts | 68,862 |
| 2016 (this page) | 31,346 | 83.0% | +1.7 pts | 61,490 |
| 2017 | 37,781 | 85.1% | +1.1 pts | 51,994 |
| 2018 | 48,276 | 87.6% | +1.3 pts | 42,565 |
| 2019 | 34,572 | 88.5% | +0.1 pts | 35,018 |
| 2020 | 4,103 | 89.9% | -0.0 pts | 27,762 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Mercedes-Benz GLA years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 83.0% of their MOT tests (31,346 tests, 2023–2025), +1.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 61,490 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 GLA?
The median tested example shows 61,490 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2016 GLA?
In this cohort petrols pass 87.2% of tests against 82.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.