Comparison · family hatchbacks
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Honda Civic: which is more reliable?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Honda Civic are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 101. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 620,953 real MOT tests in 2024.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Honda Civic
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 102About average | 103Above average |
| 6–9 years | 101About average | 107Above average |
| 10–14 years | 104Above average | 104Above average |
| 15+ years | 102Above average | 96Below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.9% | 92.1% |
| 2020 | 89.1% | 89.5% |
| 2019 | 85.9% | 86.7% |
| 2018 | 83.6% | 84.2% |
| 2017 | 80.2% | 84.5% |
| 2016 | 77.8% | 82.7% |
| 2015 | 74.1% | 81.0% |
| 2014 | 70.9% | 77.0% |
| 2013 | 70.3% | 73.4% |
| 2012 | 67.2% | 70.8% |
| 2011 | 65.7% | 58.8% |
| 2010 | 62.8% | 55.7% |
| 2009 | 61.4% | 55.6% |
| 2008 | 58.9% | 54.8% |
| 2007 | 58.2% | 54.5% |
| 2006 | 57.0% | 54.0% |
| 2005 | 58.3% | 56.0% |
| 2004 | 55.9% | 55.2% |
| 2003 | 55.8% | 53.2% |
| 2002 | 53.7% | 54.2% |
| 2001 | 57.4% | 52.9% |
| 2000 | 53.0% | 63.4% |
| 1999 | 48.1% | 61.1% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 7.1 | 25.7 |
| Suspension | 5.3 | 13.7 |
| Brakes | 5.6 | 12.2 |
| Tyres | 8.0 | 7.2 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 3.9 | 5.7 |
| Emissions & leaks | 2.3 | 4.1 |
| Body & chassis | 1.3 | 3.6 |
| Seat belts & airbags | 1.6 | 1.1 |
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures
Honda Civic: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Honda Civic?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Honda Civic are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 101. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.
Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Honda Civic can be compared?
Both were tested for 23 registration years (1999–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 10 of them and the Honda Civic in 13.
What fails most on each?
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Honda Civic: position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect.