MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2012–2018): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 296,257 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Nov 2012–Jan 2018, on average 7.5 years old at test), 76.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W176 failed 7% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the W177, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.93× vs 0.90×).
296,257 MOT tests on 147,995 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.8% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 296,257 |
| All Mercedes-Benz A-Classs | 78.8% | n = 685,711 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.93× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall 0.94× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.6% | n = 296,257 |
| Average age at test | 7.5 years | n = 296,257 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2012–2018 | Sept 2012 to Apr 2018 |
W176 against the other Mercedes-Benz A-Class generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W176 (2012–2018) | 296,257 | 7.5 yrs | 76.8% | -7% | 8.6% |
| W177 (2018 on) | 250,207 | 3.5 yrs | 87.4% | -10% | 5.0% |
Where the W176 differs
- Body, chassis and structure: the W176 failed 67% less often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.19× vs 0.59×).
- Steering: the W176 failed 40% less often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.11× vs 0.18×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the W176 failed 20% more often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (3.16× vs 2.63×).
| Area | W176 (vs similar) | W177 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.6% (+28%) | 5.8% (+15%) |
| Suspension | 5.7% (-12%) | 0.6% (-49%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.5% (-30%) | 1.6% (-49%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.7% (-2%) | 1.9% (-42%) |
| Brakes | 3.6% (-32%) | 2.1% (-17%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.6% (+20%) | 0.8% (-8%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.8% (+216%) | 1.6% (+366%) |
| Road wheels | 0.7% (+100%) | 0.3% (+92%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+50%) | 0.3% (+45%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.4% (-81%) | 0.2% (-44%) |
| Steering | 0.1% (-89%) | 0.1% (-74%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.85% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.78% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.95% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.81% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.79% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | W176 pass rate (tests) | W177 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 86.9% (497) | 87.5% (154,356) |
| 5-6 | 81.9% (87,670) | 84.4% (45,101) |
| 7-8 | 77.0% (127,864) | — |
| 9-10 | 71.1% (73,175) | — |
| 11-12 | 70.6% (7,051) | — |
Registration years in the W176
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the W176 (Sept 2012 to Apr 2018). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
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.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
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.