MOT failure data · 2025

Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT problems

Across every Mercedes-Benz A-Class that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was coil spring fractured or broken, on 8.67% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 22.94%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	8.67%
2	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	6.45%
3	Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Suspension	5.36%
4	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	4.69%
5	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	4.48%
6	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	3.72%
7	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	3.7%
8	Washers provides insufficient washer liquid	Visibility	3.17%
9	SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a fault	Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems	3.07%
10	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	2.76%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Mercedes-Benz A-Class, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Mercedes-Benz A-Class buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT FAQs

What does a Mercedes-Benz A-Class most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars failing their 2025 MOT was "coil spring fractured or broken", appearing on 8.67% of failure items.

Does this mean my Mercedes-Benz A-Class will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Mercedes-Benz A-Class that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class passed 77.86% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Mercedes-Benz A-Class's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.