Comparison · family hatchbacks

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

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Toyota Corolla are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 459,252 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average
MOT tests349,986

Toyota Corolla

103Above average
MOT tests109,266

By age

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

Age at testMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Corolla
3–5 years
102About average
103Above average
6–9 years
101About average
–
10–14 years
104Above average
–
15+ years
102Above average
104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Corolla
202189.9%89.3%
202089.1%89.1%
201985.9%88.5%
200961.4%61.6%
200858.9%61.2%
200758.2%59.5%
200657.0%60.5%
200558.3%59.6%
200455.9%56.6%
200355.8%56.8%
200253.7%56.9%
200157.4%62.4%
200053.0%62.6%
199948.1%60.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz A-ClassToyota Corolla
Lights & electrics7.118.2
Brakes5.611.6
Tyres8.05.8
Suspension5.35.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.96.5
Emissions & leaks2.33.4
Body & chassis1.33.4
Seat belts & airbags1.61.0

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 Corolla: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

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

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Toyota Corolla are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

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

Both were tested for 14 registration years (1999–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Toyota Corolla in 13.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Toyota Corolla: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.