2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

1,239 MOT tests in 2024. 55.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time55.9%
Failed or needed repairs44.1%
Typical mileage at test79,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,239 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.2%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working4.0%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.3%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.1%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.9%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics37.1%
  2. Suspension21.4%
  3. Brakes18.7%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.0%
  5. Tyres7.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks5.6%
  7. Body & chassis5.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded33.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.6%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak11.4%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 55.9% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,239 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).