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Mercedes Benz A Class car check

Find out if a A Class has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£17,0893,243 at dealers
MOT failure rate
21.1%974k tests
Known problems
5across W168 to W176
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which A Class are you looking at?

Each A Class generation has its own weak spots. Pick the one you’re viewing to see what to check.

  1. Brake flexible hose deterioration

    Safety risk W168, W169, W176

    A-Class models show severe brake hose deterioration at 153.5 times the fleet average failure rate, with over 33,000 MOT failures recorded across all variants. The flexible brake hoses connecting the rigid brake lines to the calipers suffer from internal delamination and external cracking, particularly where they flex during steering lock. This is a critical safety issue as hose failure results in complete brake circuit loss on the affected corner.

    What to check: Visually inspect all four brake hoses (front wheels turned to full lock, rear hoses visible through wheel spokes) for external cracking, bulging, or weeping brake fluid. Check for brake fluid stains on the ground under each wheel - fresh fluid appears clear or amber, old fluid is dark brown. Pres...

  2. DPF blockage and regeneration failure

    Wear item W169, W176

    Mercedes diesel particulate filters on A-Class CDI models block frequently due to short urban journeys preventing proper regeneration cycles. The This affects all diesel variants but is particularly severe on the 1.7 CDI engine in the W169 generation. Blocked DPF triggers limp mode and eventually requires expensive replacement or professional cleaning.

    What to check: Check for yellow DPF warning light on the dashboard cluster - this indicates the filter needs regeneration. Ask the seller about recent driving patterns - cars used only for short urban trips are most at risk. Look at the exhaust tailpipe for excessive black soot deposits which indicate incomplet...

  3. Steering column bearing wear

    Wear item W168, W169

    The steering column top bearing on W168 and W169 A-Class models develops excessive radial movement at 57.9 times the fleet average. This bearing supports the steering wheel end of the column and when worn creates dangerous free play in the steering. The problem is particularly pronounced on early W168 models where the bearing design was subsequently improved. Excessive play makes precise steering control difficult and creates an MOT failure.

    What to check: Sit in the driver's seat and grip the steering wheel firmly at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. Try to rock the wheel up and down - any movement that feels like the wheel is loose on its shaft indicates bearing wear. Turn the wheel slowly from lock to lock while stationary and feel for notchy o...

  4. Front shock absorber failure

    Wear item W168, W169, W176

    A-Class models experience shock absorber failure at 50.2 times the fleet average, with the problem worsening over time according to MOT data. The front shock absorbers lose damping effectiveness due to internal seal failure, causing oil leakage and complete loss of damping control. This affects ride quality severely and creates dangerous handling characteristics, particularly during braking and cornering where the car becomes unpredictable.

    What to check: Visually inspect both front shock absorber bodies (visible through wheel arches) for oil leakage - fresh oil appears amber and attracts dirt, creating a grimy coating around the shock body. Press down firmly on each front corner of the car and release - a functional shock should stop bouncing aft...

  5. CV joint and driveshaft wear

    Wear item W168, W169, W176

    Universal joint and flexible coupling failures occur at 208.5 times the fleet average on A-Class models, with over 900 MOT failures recorded. This primarily affects the outer CV joints on the front driveshafts which suffer from boot deterioration allowing contamination of the joint. The problem is exacerbated by the A-Class's compact packaging which places stress on the driveshaft angles, particularly during full-lock manoeuvres.

    What to check: Inspect both front CV joint boots (rubber covers protecting the joints, visible through wheel arches) for splits, tears, or grease leakage - damaged boots allow dirt and water contamination that destroys the joint. Look for grease deposits on the inside of the wheel rims or around the joint area ...

What A Class cost at dealers now

From 3,243 used A Class we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£17,089
Typical mileage
44,849 miles
Price change vs last month
-8.7%

A Class MOT results

21.1%

of A Class MOT tests end in a fail, from 973,701 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. No specific defect data available

Check the A Class you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

A Class questions

Is the Mercedes Benz A Class reliable?

21.1% of A Class models fail their MOT based on 973,701 tests analysed. That’s about average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being brake flexible hose deterioration. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Mercedes Benz A Class?

The most serious known issues are brake flexible hose deterioration, dpf blockage and regeneration failure, steering column bearing wear. Problems vary by generation, so check which apply to the year you’re looking at. Our car check flags whether a specific A Class has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Mercedes Benz A Class has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Mercedes Benz A Class has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N A Class has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Mercedes Benz A Class for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Mercedes Benz A Class HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known A Class faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.