2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate and common faults

10,423 MOT tests in 2024. 80.1% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time80.1%
Failed or needed repairs19.9%
Typical mileage at test62,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 10,423 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
    314 marked dangerous
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    250 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
  7. Anti-roll bars - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    145 marked dangerous
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.8%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension7.8%
  2. Tyres6.1%
  3. Brakes3.8%
  4. Lights & electrics3.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  7. Body & chassis1.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.9%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.2%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn4.4%

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 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

In 2024, 80.1% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA cars passed their MOT first time, across 10,423 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

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; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).