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MERCEDES A-CLASS (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 9,398 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,625

£135/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1625/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1598cc15 years old9,398 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,625
Per month£135/mo
Per week£31/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

78% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

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

At 15 years old, 78% of MERCEDES A-CLASSs from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,398 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,721 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars372th of 615(top 60%)
Rank among MERCEDES models1148th of 1,408(top 82%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+1%(77% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-9%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,721

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS has 73,721 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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%. The 2011 sits between the two at 78%.

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 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS

The 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS is a small family car with a 1598cc diesel engine. 9,398 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2011, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,721 miles at 15 years old, MERCEDES A-CLASS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,625 135/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% 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 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS

At 15 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 9,398 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

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 2011 MERCEDES A-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES A-CLASS(2011)78%£905£165Grp 12-25£1625
FORD FIESTA(2013)77%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£135
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2013)85%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£180
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£102
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£135

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.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mercedes A-class.

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