2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

2,963 MOT tests in 2024. 58.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time58.3%
Failed or needed repairs41.7%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,963 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.0%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.1%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.0%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.5%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
  8. Washers: not working2.4%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    102 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics25.1%
  2. Brakes16.0%
  3. Suspension13.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.7%
  5. Body & chassis11.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.6%
  7. Tyres6.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.0%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  5. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated9.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 58.3% of 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,963 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; stop lamp: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).