MERCEDES A (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37,477 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,777
£148/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 18-32
1991cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.
At 5 years old, 94% of MERCEDES As from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37,477 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 26,277 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
26,277
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 MERCEDES A has 26,277 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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MERCEDES A by Year
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About the 2021 MERCEDES A
The 2021 MERCEDES A is a family car with a 1991cc petrol engine. 37,477 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 26,277 miles at 5 years old, MERCEDES A owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 MERCEDES A Fuel Costs
The 1991cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 MERCEDES A?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
MERCEDES A Reliability Trend
Newer MERCEDES As show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 MERCEDES A
At 5 years old, the MERCEDES A offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 37,477 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 MERCEDES A's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 MERCEDES A stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERCEDES A(2021) | 94% | £1327 | £195 | Grp 18-32 | £1777 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
| MINI COOPER(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
| HYUNDAI TUCSON(2019) | 90% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Mercedes Models
Explore other Mercedes cars or similar models in the same category.
MERCEDES C
2017 · 1991cc Hybrid
MERCEDES A-CLASS
2017 · 1461cc Diesel
MERCEDES E
2018 · 1950cc Diesel
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2020 · 1598cc Petrol
MINI COOPER
2019 · 1499cc Petrol
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