2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate and common faults

16,044 MOT tests in 2024. 84.9% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time84.9%
Failed or needed repairs15.1%
Typical mileage at test43,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 16,044 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    517 marked dangerous
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    292 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
    164 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    111 marked dangerous
  10. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.2%
  2. Lights & electrics3.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.8%
  4. Brakes2.6%
  5. Body & chassis2.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.4%
  7. Suspension1.4%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.8%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn3.6%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

In 2024, 84.9% of 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA cars passed their MOT first time, across 16,044 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable at MOT time?

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