Mercedes Benz A 200 MOT Failures
An analysis of 9,846 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mercedes Benz A 200 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Mercedes Benz A 200 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mercedes Benz A 200 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 20 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 9,846 MOT tests, 6.38% of all Mercedes Benz A 200 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include brake hoses perished or damaged (27x the fleet average), transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (9.5x the fleet average), light unit fault (6.1x the fleet average), and emissions failure (6.3x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mercedes Benz A 200's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Mercedes Benz A 200 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mercedes Benz A 200's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
The standout failure at this mileage is anti-roll bar links worn at 20x the fleet average.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mercedes Benz A 200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (27x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (12x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (9.5x) and emissions failure (6.3x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mercedes Benz A 200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake hoses perished or damaged (17x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (7.1x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (5.3x) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... also appear frequently.
The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to brake hoses perished or damaged at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Mercedes Benz A 200
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mercedes Benz A 200:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot.... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for light unit fault.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mercedes Benz A 200?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mercedes Benz A 200 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz A 200?
Based on 9,846 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 20x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake hoses perished or damaged and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot....
Is the Mercedes Benz A 200 reliable based on MOT data?
The Mercedes Benz A 200 has 5 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is anti-roll bar links worn. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mercedes Benz A 200 most commonly fails on brake hoses perished or damaged and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are anti-roll bar links worn.
How do I check a Mercedes Benz A 200's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.