CarCostCheck

MERCEDES A-CLASS (2013)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 34,582 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,475

£123/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1461cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1475/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific MERCEDES A-CLASS

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel1461cc13 years old34,582 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1461cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1461cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,475
Per month£123/mo
Per week£28/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MERCEDES A-CLASS

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 13 years old, 83% of MERCEDES A-CLASSs from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34,582 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 92,179 miles.

Got a MERCEDES A-CLASS you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 cars317th of 626(top 51%)
Rank among MERCEDES models961th of 1,408(top 68%)
vs national average+1%(82% avg)
vs 2013 cars average+3%(80% avg)
vs MERCEDES average-4%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

92,179

Average miles

vs

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS has 92,179 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific MERCEDES A-CLASS?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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 2013 sits between the two at 83%.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Mercedes A-class

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS

The 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS is a small family car with a 1461cc diesel engine. 34,582 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 92,179 miles at 13 years old, MERCEDES A-CLASS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS Fuel Costs

The 1461cc 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 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,475 123/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% 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 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS

At 13 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 34,582 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2013 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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 92k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2013 MERCEDES A-CLASS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MERCEDES A-CLASS(2013)83%£905£165Grp 12-25£1475
FORD FIESTA(2013)77%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490+£15
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)87%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£30
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£252
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2014)80%£905£30Grp 5-15£1340-£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.

Check a specific MERCEDES A-CLASS

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a MERCEDES A-CLASS? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB