Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE reliable?

Based on MOT data from 169 vehicles, the 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE (2016)

169 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.9% first-time pass rate

2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE

CarHunch analysed 169 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2016 A 180 D SE falls short of the UK average with a 73.6% first-time pass rate against the typical 80%, which suggests you're more likely to face repair costs when MOT time comes around. The good news is there are no dangerous defects recorded across the 169 vehicles analysed, so safety failures aren't a concern with this model.

At around 71,800 miles median, these cars have moderate mileage for their age, and the low failure rate of just 0.31 per vehicle indicates most issues are minor when they do occur. Before committing to a purchase, have a pre-buy inspection done by a diesel specialist, as the gap below the national average suggests recurring small problems that compound over time.

We have limited data for the 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

92.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.31

Over 3.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

72k

Middle half: 59k–85k

For context

These stats describe 169 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 169 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE

Based on MOT data from 169 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

71,780

typical

58,784

low mileage

85,210

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE vehicles fall between 58,784 and 85,210 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 58,784 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 58,784–85,210 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SEs sit.

⚠ Over 115,033 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Mercedes Benz A 180 D SEs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 115 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.31

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz A 180 D SE: All A 180 D SE years → Which year to buy? →

2017

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

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