Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Reliability

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class (current generation) scores 74/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from ADAC, DVSA, TÜV data.

Composite Score
74
/ 100
Good
Sources: ADAC · DVSA · TÜV · latest 2025
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Buying a Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Check its VIN history first

Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact Mercedes-Benz A-Class you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

ADAC (European Auto Club)
All model years · 2025 report
8.8/1000 breakdowns
View source ↗
65
/ 100
TÜV (Germany)
All model years · 2025 report
HU defect rate (TÜV Report 2025): 10-11yr 14.7%
View source ↗
81
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=558675
558,675 UK MOT tests · overall 15.5% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
79
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=305669
305,669 UK MOT tests · overall 17.9% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
72
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 558,675 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 35 yrs
79
8.5% fail vs 10.9% fleet
183,155 tests
Age 69 yrs
79
14.9% fail vs 19.2% fleet
249,409 tests
Age 1014 yrs
81
23.0% fail vs 32.1% fleet
89,215 tests
Age 1520 yrs
73
36.0% fail vs 38.8% fleet
36,896 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Condition
42,284
30.6%
#2
Linkage ball joint dust cover
26,989
19.5%
#3
Windscreen
24,936
18.0%
#4
Tread depth
22,563
16.3%
#5
Wipers
21,482
15.5%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

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