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MERCEDES A-CLASS (2005)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 5,552 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

73%

Total Tests (2024)

5,552

Avg Mileage

88,124 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,017

Is the 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 19 years old, 73% of MERCEDES A-CLASSs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 5,552 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 88,124 miles.

How does the 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS compare?

Rank among all 2005 cars284th out of 526(top 54%)
Rank among all MERCEDES models1302th out of 1,408(top 92%)
vs national average-9% (82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+1% (72% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-14% (87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS has 88,124 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a MERCEDES A-CLASS?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2005 sits between the two at 73%.

How much does a 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 1699cc)
£1,327
🏛️Road Tax
£135
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs

Higher than average due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,017
Per month£168/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

MERCEDES A-CLASS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202195%20420,573 mi
202092%29625,924 mi
201990%17,95942,922 mi
201889%81,13448,596 mi
201788%82,05558,788 mi
201686%78,92568,387 mi
201585%57,43477,575 mi
201483%51,81786,660 mi
201383%34,58292,179 mi
201279%9,52574,077 mi
201178%9,39873,721 mi
201076%11,30079,296 mi
200975%12,53384,461 mi
200874%12,27289,507 mi
200774%11,03691,201 mi
200672%8,38991,943 mi
200573%5,55288,124 mi
200471%2,47084,566 mi
200371%2,44281,910 mi
200270%1,76683,515 mi
200172%1,09688,180 mi
200069%51680,481 mi
199968%52679,332 mi
199872%7285,941 mi

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About the 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS

The 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS is a family car with a 1699cc petrol engine. 5,552 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 88,124 miles at 19 years old, MERCEDES A-CLASS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 1699cc 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 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,017 (£168/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £135 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS

At 19 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 5,552 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Alternatives to the 2005 MERCEDES A-CLASS

If reliability is your priority, there's one similar car with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: