Comparison · family hatchbacks

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Toyota Auris: which is more reliable?

The Toyota Auris does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 500,999 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average
MOT tests349,986

Toyota Auris

106Above average
MOT tests151,013

By age

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

Age at testMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Auris
3–5 years
102About average
94Below average
6–9 years
101About average
103Above average
10–14 years
104Above average
109Well above average
15+ years
102Above average
105Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Auris
201985.9%79.9%
201883.6%81.7%
201780.2%80.5%
201677.8%79.4%
201574.1%78.9%
201470.9%77.1%
201370.3%76.4%
201267.2%67.0%
201165.7%65.0%
201062.8%64.2%
200961.4%62.2%
200858.9%59.3%
200758.2%58.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Auris
Lights & electrics7.120.2
Brakes5.610.7
Tyres8.06.3
Suspension5.37.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.94.5
Emissions & leaks2.31.8
Body & chassis1.31.7
Seat belts & airbags1.60.5

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%

Toyota Auris: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  2. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Toyota Auris?

The Toyota Auris does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Toyota Auris can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2007–2019). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 4 of them and the Toyota Auris in 9.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Toyota Auris: position lamp: not working; stop lamp: not working.