2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

6,870 MOT tests in 2024. 61.4% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time61.4%
Failed or needed repairs38.6%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,870 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.9%
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  6. Side repeaters: not working2.9%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.9%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.5%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
    192 marked dangerous
  10. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics21.6%
  2. Brakes17.2%
  3. Suspension14.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.4%
  5. Body & chassis6.5%
  6. Tyres5.9%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.4%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.1%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 61.4% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,870 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).