Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 726,329 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average

MOT tests376,343

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average

MOT tests349,986

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	BMW 1 Series	Mercedes-Benz A-Class
3–5 years	102Above average	102About average
6–9 years	105Above average	101About average
10–14 years	107Above average	104Above average
15+ years	112Well above average	102Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	BMW 1 Series	Mercedes-Benz A-Class
2021	90.4%	89.9%
2020	89.3%	89.1%
2019	86.3%	85.9%
2018	84.4%	83.6%
2017	83.3%	80.2%
2016	80.4%	77.8%
2015	78.0%	74.1%
2014	74.0%	70.9%
2013	71.7%	70.3%
2012	67.5%	67.2%
2011	67.3%	65.7%
2010	66.3%	62.8%
2009	65.5%	61.4%
2008	65.1%	58.9%
2007	64.0%	58.2%
2006	61.4%	57.0%
2005	60.8%	58.3%
2004	61.9%	55.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	BMW 1 Series	Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Lights & electrics	11.4	7.1
Tyres	8.5	8.0
Brakes	7.3	5.6
Suspension	6.0	5.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.4	3.9
Emissions & leaks	2.7	2.3
Body & chassis	1.3	1.3
Seat belts & airbags	0.8	1.6

BMW 1 Series: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.5%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in 0.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken.