1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

158 MOT tests in 2024. 48.1% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

76Well below average
Passed first time48.1%
Failed or needed repairs51.9%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 158 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.2%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength7.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.3%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.4%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.4%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  7. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements3.2%
  8. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  9. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened3.2%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension39.2%
  2. Lights & electrics31.6%
  3. Brakes24.7%
  4. Body & chassis10.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.9%
  6. Tyres6.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.4%
  8. Steering1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded30.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.9%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.7%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All A-Class years2000 A-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 48.1% of 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 158 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 76, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).