Mercedes A160 (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 118 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,077

£173/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1869cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2,077/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Diesel1869cc14 years old118 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1869cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,077

Per month£173/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

81% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

81% of MOT tests on Mercedes A160s from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 118 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 60,693 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models361st of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Mercedes models1045th of 1,376(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models-1%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+3%(78% avg)

vs Mercedes average-6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

60,693

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Mercedes A160 had 60,693 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Mercedes A160 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	81%	118	60,693 mi
2011	80%	88	66,687 mi
2010	81%	133	73,594 mi
2009	78%	69	87,750 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2013 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,944/year

77%

-4%

Volkswagen Golf

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,794/year

87%

+6%

Vauxhall Astra

2013 · 1700cc Diesel

£2,227/year

79%

-2%

Audi A3

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,794/year

86%

+5%

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About the 2012 Mercedes A160

The 2012 Mercedes A160 is a premium car. Our records list a 1869cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 118 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 60,693 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes A160 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Mercedes A160 Fuel Costs

The 1869cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2012 Mercedes A160?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,077 (£173/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2012 Mercedes A160

At 14 years old, the Mercedes A160 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 2012 Mercedes A160 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes A160(2012)	81%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,077
Ford Fiesta(2013)	77%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944-£133
Volkswagen Golf(2014)	87%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,794-£283
Vauxhall Astra(2013)	79%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227+£150
Audi A3(2014)	86%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,794-£283

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Mercedes A160

Is the 2012 Mercedes A160 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of MOT tests on 2012 Mercedes A160s ended in a pass, from 118 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Mercedes A160 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,077 a year (£173 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Mercedes A160?

81% of 118 MOT tests on the 2012 Mercedes A160 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 361st of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Mercedes A160?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Mercedes A160 is 60,693 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.