Comparison · family hatchbacks
Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: which is more reliable?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,243,934 real MOT tests in 2024.
Ford Focus
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Ford Focus | Mercedes-Benz A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 100About average | 102About average |
| 6–9 years | 103Above average | 101About average |
| 10–14 years | 96Below average | 104Above average |
| 15+ years | 97Below average | 102Above average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Ford Focus | Mercedes-Benz A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.3% | 89.9% |
| 2020 | 87.8% | 89.1% |
| 2019 | 83.7% | 85.9% |
| 2018 | 83.4% | 83.6% |
| 2017 | 82.5% | 80.2% |
| 2016 | 79.4% | 77.8% |
| 2015 | 75.6% | 74.1% |
| 2014 | 67.4% | 70.9% |
| 2013 | 63.9% | 70.3% |
| 2012 | 63.3% | 67.2% |
| 2011 | 59.1% | 65.7% |
| 2010 | 57.2% | 62.8% |
| 2009 | 56.8% | 61.4% |
| 2008 | 55.6% | 58.9% |
| 2007 | 57.4% | 58.2% |
| 2006 | 57.0% | 57.0% |
| 2005 | 54.0% | 58.3% |
| 2004 | 52.0% | 55.9% |
| 2003 | 52.5% | 55.8% |
| 2002 | 53.1% | 53.7% |
| 2001 | 53.4% | 57.4% |
| 2000 | 52.8% | 53.0% |
| 1999 | 50.3% | 48.1% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Ford Focus | Mercedes-Benz A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 21.0 | 7.1 |
| Suspension | 12.6 | 5.3 |
| Tyres | 8.8 | 8.0 |
| Brakes | 7.5 | 5.6 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| Emissions & leaks | 4.6 | 2.3 |
| Body & chassis | 3.6 | 1.3 |
| Seat belts & airbags | 0.7 | 1.6 |
Ford Focus: top failures
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Ford Focus and Mercedes-Benz A-Class can be compared?
Both were tested for 23 registration years (1999–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 5 of them and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in 18.
What fails most on each?
Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken.