MOT performance
2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 14,084 MOT tests on 2008-registered Mercedes-Benz A-Classs in 2023–2024 (on average 14.9 years old at test, median 83,894 miles), 59.6% passed first time, 19.2 points lower than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs failed about as often as comparable cars.
14,084 MOT tests on 7,351 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 59.6% | ±0.8 pts (95%), n = 14,084 |
| All Mercedes-Benz A-Classs | 78.8% | n = 685,711 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.98× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.3% | n = 14,084 |
| Average age at test | 14.9 years | n = 14,084 |
Where 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 16.9% | -11% |
| Suspension | 13.7% | -14% |
| Brakes | 12.6% | +21% |
| Driver's view of the road | 9.6% | +45% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 7.4% | +12% |
| Tyres | 5.8% | -18% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.3% | -26% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.1% | +28% |
| Steering | 0.5% | -83% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | -17% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | -35% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 4.97% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 4.88% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 4.49% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 4.41% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.28% |
Check a specific 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.