2013 · 11 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

15,831 MOT tests in 2024. 70.3% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time70.3%
Failed or needed repairs29.7%
Typical mileage at test89,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 15,831 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.7%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.3%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    658 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    519 marked dangerous
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
    435 marked dangerous
  8. Anti-roll bars - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  9. Stop lamp: not working1.5%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension13.3%
  2. Lights & electrics10.5%
  3. Tyres9.2%
  4. Brakes5.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.2%
  7. Seat belts & airbags3.7%
  8. Wheels1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.0%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn4.2%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 70.3% of 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 15,831 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2013 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).