CarCostCheck

MERCEDES GLA (2018)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 31,717 real MOT tests in 2024.

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Total Tests (2024)

31,717

Avg Mileage

45,302 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,582

Is the 2018 MERCEDES GLA reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

At 6 years old, 90% of MERCEDES GLAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 31,717 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 45,302 miles.

How does the 2018 MERCEDES GLA compare?

Rank among all 2018 cars322th out of 649(top 50%)
Rank among all MERCEDES models615th out of 1,408(top 44%)
vs national average+8% (82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+1% (89% avg)
vs MERCEDES average+3% (87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2018 MERCEDES GLA has 45,302 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Best year to buy a MERCEDES GLA?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2018 sits between the two at 90%.

How much does a 2018 MERCEDES GLA cost to run?

Fuel (Petrol, 1595cc)
£1,137
🏛️Road Tax
£190
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£1,582
Per month£132/mo

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

MERCEDES GLA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202092%2,32929,861 mi
201991%21,47937,588 mi
201890%31,71745,302 mi
201788%26,44455,257 mi
201687%21,23764,678 mi
201587%18,89271,667 mi
201488%7,89475,803 mi

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About the 2018 MERCEDES GLA

The 2018 MERCEDES GLA is a small family car with a 1595cc petrol engine. 31,717 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 45,302 miles at 6 years old, MERCEDES GLA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 MERCEDES GLA Fuel Costs

The 1595cc 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 2018 MERCEDES GLA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,582 132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £190 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MERCEDES GLA Reliability Trend

The MERCEDES GLA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 MERCEDES GLA

At 6 years old, the MERCEDES GLA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 31,717 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Alternatives to the 2018 MERCEDES GLA

The MERCEDES GLA is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol small family cars from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: