Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
Enter a registration number to see MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and more for any Mercedes-Benz Gla.
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The Mercedes-Benz Gla is a popular choice on UK roads.
Euro NCAP awarded the Gla 5 stars in 2020, with 96% adult occupant and 88% child protection scores.
It has a 82.1% 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 £3,446 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £287/month or 43p/mile.
Theft risk is rated moderate at 6.4 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2020
MOT Pass Rate
82.1%
55,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£287
est. annual total
New From
£37,000
Euro NCAP tested the Gla in 2020 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
96%
Child Occupant
88%
Pedestrian
79%
Safety Assist
70%
There are 54 known DVSA recalls affecting the Mercedes-Benz Gla. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/439
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain A-Class (177 platform) C-Class (206 platform) EQA (243 platform) GLA (247 platform) GLC (254 platform) EQE (295 platform) V-Class (447 platform) and G-Class (465 platform) vehicles the circuit board of the front short-range sensor might not meet specifications.
Build dates: 2025-05-06 to 2025-05-07
R/2024/392
On affected vehicles the sealing ring between the exhaust manifold and turbocharger might be missing.
Build dates: 2023-05-17 to 2023-05-17
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: 2019-06-24 to 2024-01-31
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: 2014-12-15 to 2016-04-25
R/2021/437
On certain vehicles with an additional door lock the locking pawl spring of the left side door locks might not be greased according to specifications.
Build dates: 2020-01-19 to 2021-02-03
+ 49 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 55,000 MOT tests, the Gla has a first-time pass rate of 82.1% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Gla 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 Gla are estimated at around £3,446 per year, or £287 per month.
Fuel
£1,101
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,495
/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 Gla achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.9 mpg (37.2 mpg urban, 57.6 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2014 | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.6L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2014 | PETROL | 42.8 mpg | 2.0L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2014 | DIESEL | 62.8 mpg | 2.1L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2015 | PETROL | 42.8 mpg | 2.0L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2015 | DIESEL | 55.4 mpg | 2.1L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2015� | DIESEL | 58.9 mpg | 2.1L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2016 | PETROL | 38.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| GLA CLASS, MODEL YEAR 2016 | DIESEL | 58.9 mpg | 2.1L |
Starting from £37,000 new, a Mercedes-Benz Gla typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £27,750 | −£9,250 |
| 2 years | 64% | £23,600 | −£13,400 |
| 3 years | 56% | £20,750 | −£16,250 |
| 4 years | 50% | £18,700 | −£18,300 |
| 5 years | 46% | £17,200 | −£19,800 |
| 6 years | 43% | £16,000 | −£21,000 |
| 7 years | 41% | £15,000 | −£22,000 |
| 8 years | 39% | £14,250 | −£22,750 |
| 9 years | 37% | £13,550 | −£23,450 |
| 10 years | 35% | £12,900 | −£24,100 |
The Gla has a theft rate of 6.4 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated moderate compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
The Gla has a 82.1% first-time MOT pass rate based on 55,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the Gla 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2020. It scored 96% for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection, 79% for vulnerable road users, and 70% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Gla are estimated at around £3,446 per year (£287/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 54 known safety recalls affecting the Gla. 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 Gla has a theft rate of 6.4 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 Gla starts from around £37,000. 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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