2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate: 87.6% (48,276 tests)
Is the 2018 GLA getting worse?
Pass rate of 2018-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 90.3% +2.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 87.7% +1.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 84.8% +0.0 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 2018 GLA
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3,290 | 33.7% |
| 2 | Brakes | 1,450 | 14.8% |
| 3 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,183 | 12.1% |
| 4 | Visibility | 1,040 | 10.6% |
| 5 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 995 | 10.2% |
| 6 | Suspension | 860 | 8.8% |
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 | 31,346 | 83.0% | +1.7 pts | 61,490 |
| 2017 | 37,781 | 85.1% | +1.1 pts | 51,994 |
| 2018 (this page) | 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
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable?
2018-registered examples passed 87.6% of their MOT tests (48,276 tests, 2023–2025), +1.3 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 8 years old with a median 42,565 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2018 GLA?
The median tested example shows 42,565 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.
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.