Mercedes A-Class

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 24 model years from 493,299 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

79%

Total Tests

493,299

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (95%)

Years Covered

About the Mercedes A-Class

The Mercedes A-Class was MOT tested 493,299 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 24 model years (1998 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95% from 204 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 68%. With a 27 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Mercedes A-Classs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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

Fuel (Petrol, 1991cc)

£1,634

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,089

Per month£174/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.88p petrol and 199.52p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 5 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Mercedes A-Class?

vs average of all models-3% (82% avg)

vs Mercedes brand average-8% (87% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

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

Questions about the Mercedes A-Class

Is the Mercedes A-Class reliable?

Across its 24 model years in our data (1998 to 2021), the Mercedes A-Class averages a 79% MOT pass rate, from 493,299 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 95%.

Which year Mercedes A-Class has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Mercedes A-Class has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 68%, a 27 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.