2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

30,075 MOT tests in 2024. 89.9% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time89.9%
Failed or needed repairs10.1%
Typical mileage at test25,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 30,075 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
    600 marked dangerous
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
    400 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    216 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.5%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.4%
    188 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
  9. Headlamp: insecure0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.2%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.8%
  3. Lights & electrics1.8%
  4. Brakes1.0%
  5. Wheels0.4%
  6. Suspension0.3%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.7%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
  4. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 A-ClassAll A-Class years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

In 2024, 89.9% of 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 30,075 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable at MOT time?

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