Comparison · family hatchbacks

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 453,336 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average
MOT tests349,986

Hyundai i30

92Below average
MOT tests103,350

By age

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

Age at testMercedes-Benz A-ClassHyundai i30
3–5 years
102About average
101About average
6–9 years
101About average
96Below average
10–14 years
104Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
102Above average
91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearMercedes-Benz A-ClassHyundai i30
202189.9%85.4%
202089.1%85.5%
201985.9%87.3%
201883.6%84.4%
201780.2%80.2%
201677.8%71.0%
201574.1%68.8%
201470.9%62.3%
201370.3%57.8%
201267.2%55.9%
201165.7%54.3%
201062.8%52.5%
200961.4%53.7%
200858.9%49.9%
200758.2%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaMercedes-Benz A-ClassHyundai i30
Lights & electrics7.121.1
Brakes5.621.1
Suspension5.311.3
Tyres8.08.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.95.5
Steering0.26.2
Emissions & leaks2.32.1
Body & chassis1.32.1

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures

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

Hyundai i30: top failures

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Hyundai i30?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does better at the MOT, with a score of 102 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 12 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 3.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.