How much does a 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

The 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 526 tests in 2026. This ranks 304 out of 375 cars from 1999.

Which year MERCEDES A-CLASS is most reliable?

The 2021 MERCEDES A-CLASS has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 68%.

MERCEDES A-CLASS (1999)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

The average mileage for a 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS is 79,332 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 526 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc27 years old526 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,157

Per month£180/mo

Per week£41/wk

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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 27 years old, 68% of MERCEDES A-CLASSs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 526 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,332 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars304th of 375(top 81%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1375th of 1,408(top 98%)

vs national average-14%(82% avg)

vs 1999 cars average-7%(75% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-19%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,332

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS has 79,332 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

MERCEDES A-CLASS by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

TOYOTA YARIS

2001 · 1299cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

+3%

FORD FOCUS

2001 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,027/year

68%

same

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+5%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+3%

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About the 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS

The 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 526 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 81% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 79,332 miles at 27 years old, MERCEDES A-CLASS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES A-CLASS Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES A-CLASSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS

At 27 years old, the MERCEDES A-CLASS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always 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 1999 MERCEDES A-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES A-CLASS(1999)	68%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£2157
TOYOTA YARIS(2001)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435
FORD FOCUS(2001)	68%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£2027-£130
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£140

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.