MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W177 (2018 on): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 250,207 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W177 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Jul 2018 onwards, on average 3.5 years old at test), 87.4% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W177 failed 10% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the W176, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.90× vs 0.93×).
250,207 MOT tests on 136,800 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.4% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 250,207 |
| All Mercedes-Benz A-Classs | 78.8% | n = 685,711 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.90× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall 0.94× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.0% | n = 250,207 |
| Average age at test | 3.5 years | n = 250,207 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2018 on | May 2018 to now |
W177 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 W177 differs
- Seat belts and airbags: the W177 failed 77% more often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (4.66× vs 2.63×).
- Steering: the W177 failed 46% more often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.26× vs 0.18×).
- Driver's view of the road: the W177 failed 40% less often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.58× vs 0.96×).
- Suspension: the W177 failed 38% less often than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.51× vs 0.82×).
| Area | W176 (vs similar) | W177 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.6% (+28%) | 5.8% (+15%) |
| Brakes | 3.6% (-32%) | 2.1% (-17%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.7% (-2%) | 1.9% (-42%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.5% (-30%) | 1.6% (-49%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.8% (+216%) | 1.6% (+366%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.6% (+20%) | 0.8% (-8%) |
| Suspension | 5.7% (-12%) | 0.6% (-49%) |
| 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 W177 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.03% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.93% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | Seat belts and airbags | 1.46% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.37% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.02% |
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 W177
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 W177 (May 2018 to now). 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 W177
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.