Mercedes-Benz Gla — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Mercedes-Benz Gla overview
The Mercedes-Benz Gla is a popular choice on UK roads.
Euro NCAP awarded the Gla 5 stars in 2019, with 96% adult occupant and 90% 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 £2,146 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £179/month or 29p/mile.
Theft risk is rated moderate at 6.4 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2019
MOT Pass Rate
82.1%
55,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£179
est. annual total
New From
£42,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Gla in 2019 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
96%
Child Occupant
90%
Pedestrian
96%
Safety Assist
75%
Safety recalls
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.
Reliability & MOT
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.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mercedes-Benz Gla are estimated at around £2,146 per year, or £179 per month.
Fuel
£0
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,696
/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.
Electric specifications
Battery
58 kWh
Range (WLTP)
208 mi
Motor
165 kW
221 bhp
Drive
RWD
Rapid charge: 20 min (200 kW DC) | Home charge: 6h15m (11 kW AC)
Depreciation
Starting from £42,000 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% | £31,500 | −£10,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £26,750 | −£15,250 |
| 3 years | 56% | £23,550 | −£18,450 |
| 4 years | 50% | £21,200 | −£20,800 |
| 5 years | 46% | £19,500 | −£22,500 |
| 6 years | 43% | £18,150 | −£23,850 |
| 7 years | 41% | £17,050 | −£24,950 |
| 8 years | 39% | £16,200 | −£25,800 |
| 9 years | 37% | £15,400 | −£26,600 |
| 10 years | 35% | £14,600 | −£27,400 |
Theft risk
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz Gla reliable?
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.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz Gla?
Euro NCAP awarded the Gla 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2019. It scored 96% for adult occupant protection, 90% for child occupant protection, 96% for vulnerable road users, and 75% for safety assist features.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz Gla cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Gla are estimated at around £2,146 per year (£179/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Mercedes-Benz Gla?
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.
Is the Mercedes-Benz Gla likely to be stolen?
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.
How much does a new Mercedes-Benz Gla cost?
A new Gla starts from around £42,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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