Mercedes A-class
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 24 years from 493,299 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
79%
Total Tests
493,299
Best Year
2021 (95%)
Years Covered
24
About the Mercedes A-class
The Mercedes A-class has been tested 493,299 times in 2026 MOT data across 24 model years (1998 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.
Best and Worst Years
The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 95% pass rate from 204 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 68%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
Newer MERCEDES A-CLASSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1998) averages 85,941 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 20,573 miles.
Compared to the Mercedes brand average of 87%, the A-class is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Mercedes models.
Estimated Running Costs
Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.
Full 2021 detailsHow reliable is the Mercedes A-class?
Mercedes A-class by Year
Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95% | 204 | 20,573 mi | |
| 2020 | 92% | 296 | 25,924 mi | |
| 2019 | 90% | 17,959 | 42,922 mi | |
| 2018 | 89% | 81,134 | 48,596 mi | |
| 2017 | 88% | 82,055 | 58,788 mi | |
| 2016 | 86% | 78,925 | 68,387 mi | |
| 2015 | 85% | 57,434 | 77,575 mi | |
| 2014 | 83% | 51,817 | 86,660 mi | |
| 2013 | 83% | 34,582 | 92,179 mi | |
| 2012 | 79% | 9,525 | 74,077 mi | |
| 2011 | 78% | 9,398 | 73,721 mi | |
| 2010 | 76% | 11,300 | 79,296 mi | |
| 2009 | 75% | 12,533 | 84,461 mi | |
| 2008 | 74% | 12,272 | 89,507 mi | |
| 2007 | 74% | 11,036 | 91,201 mi | |
| 2006 | 72% | 8,389 | 91,943 mi | |
| 2005 | 73% | 5,552 | 88,124 mi | |
| 2004 | 71% | 2,470 | 84,566 mi | |
| 2003 | 71% | 2,442 | 81,910 mi | |
| 2002 | 70% | 1,766 | 83,515 mi | |
| 2001 | 72% | 1,096 | 88,180 mi | |
| 2000 | 69% | 516 | 80,481 mi | |
| 1999 | 68% | 526 | 79,332 mi | |
| 1998 | 72% | 72 | 85,941 mi |
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