Comparison · family hatchbacks

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 466,192 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average
MOT tests349,986

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testMercedes-Benz A-ClassKia Ceed
3–5 years
102About average
97Below average
6–9 years
101About average
99About average
10–14 years
104Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
102Above average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz A-ClassKia Ceed
202189.9%84.0%
202089.1%84.1%
201985.9%82.3%
201883.6%81.9%
201780.2%78.3%
201677.8%76.2%
201574.1%72.4%
201470.9%65.6%
201370.3%60.9%
201267.2%55.7%
201165.7%50.0%
201062.8%50.3%
200961.4%51.5%
200858.9%49.9%
200758.2%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz A-ClassKia Ceed
Lights & electrics7.118.5
Brakes5.615.7
Tyres8.08.9
Suspension5.311.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.96.3
Steering0.25.0
Emissions & leaks2.32.3
Body & chassis1.31.9

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

Kia Ceed: top failures

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Kia Ceed?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Kia Ceed can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Kia Ceed in 0.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.