Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a popular choice on UK roads.
Euro NCAP awarded the A-Class 5 stars in 2018, with 96% adult occupant and 91% child protection scores.
It has a 79.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, lighting.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,101 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £258/month or 39p/mile.
Theft risk is rated moderate at 7.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2018
MOT Pass Rate
79.8%
210,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£258
est. annual total
New From
£32,000
Euro NCAP tested the A-Class in 2018 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
96%
Child Occupant
91%
Pedestrian
92%
Safety Assist
75%
There are 99 known DVSA recalls affecting the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/131
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain A-Class (177 platform) and CLA (118 platform) vehicles the length of the brake hoses on the rear axle might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2024-02-27 to 2024-03-10
R/2024/166
On affected vehicles the backup function of the steering software might not meet specifications. As a result the steering power support might be impaired and a loss of steerability cannot be ruled out.
Build dates: 2018-01-25 to 2024-02-02
R/2024/024
On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair.
Build dates: 2012-09-24 to 2018-03-08
R/2023/190
On affected vehicles the equipped tyres might not meet the load requirements.
Build dates: 2022-05-23 to 2022-06-20
R/2023/185
On affected vehicles the corrosion protection of the integral carrier of the front axle might not be sustained over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Build dates: 2019-05-03 to 2019-07-10
+ 94 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 210,000 MOT tests, the A-Class has a first-time pass rate of 79.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The A-Class is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class are estimated at around £3,101 per year, or £258 per month.
Fuel
£1,083
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,293
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
The A-Class achieves a combined fuel economy of around 48.7 mpg (38.7 mpg urban, 56.5 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-CLASS (169) MODEL YEAR 2009 | PETROL | 48.7 mpg | 1.5L |
| A-CLASS (169) MODEL YEAR 2009 | PETROL | 46.3 mpg | 1.7L |
| A-CLASS (169) MODEL YEAR 2009 | DIESEL | 57.6 mpg | 2.0L |
| A-CLASS (169) MODEL YEAR 2009 | PETROL | 39.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| A-CLASS (C169) 3 DOOR | PETROL | 45.6 mpg | 1.5L |
| A-CLASS (C169) 3 DOOR | PETROL | 42.8 mpg | 1.7L |
| A-CLASS (C169) 3 DOOR | DIESEL | 57.6 mpg | 2.0L |
| A-CLASS (C169) 3 DOOR | PETROL | 39.2 mpg | 2.0L |
Starting from £32,000 new, a Mercedes-Benz A-Class typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £24,000 | −£8,000 |
| 2 years | 64% | £20,400 | −£11,600 |
| 3 years | 56% | £17,950 | −£14,050 |
| 4 years | 50% | £16,150 | −£15,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £14,850 | −£17,150 |
| 6 years | 43% | £13,800 | −£18,200 |
| 7 years | 41% | £13,000 | −£19,000 |
| 8 years | 39% | £12,350 | −£19,650 |
| 9 years | 37% | £11,750 | −£20,250 |
| 10 years | 35% | £11,150 | −£20,850 |
The A-Class has a theft rate of 7.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated moderate compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
The A-Class has a 79.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 210,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the A-Class 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2018. It scored 96% for adult occupant protection, 91% for child occupant protection, 92% for vulnerable road users, and 75% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old A-Class are estimated at around £3,101 per year (£258/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 99 known safety recalls affecting the A-Class. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
The A-Class has a theft rate of 7.9 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated moderate compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Standard security precautions should be sufficient.
A new A-Class starts from around £32,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
Free & instant — no signup required
Get a free email reminder 28 days and 7 days before your MOT expires.
✓ Free ✓ No spam ✓ Unsubscribe any time
Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Free Plate Check may earn a small commission from partner links, at no cost to you.
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