Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200?

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 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200?

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 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200?

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.

How many 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 344 vehicles, the 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.6%, 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 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200?

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 200 (2005)

344 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.6% first-time pass rate

2005 Mercedes Benz A 200

CarHunch analysed 344 real MOT records for the 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 344 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz A 200 passes its MOT first time in 75.6% of cases, which is 4.4 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a modest but real reliability concern. More worrying is that nearly a third of these vehicles (30.8%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a buyer red flag worth investigating thoroughly on any prospective purchase.

At around 64,000 miles average, these nearly 20-year-old cars are well-used but not excessively so. The real issue emerges in the detail: owners face an average of 4.3 failures and 18.5 advisories per test, suggesting persistent minor electrical and wear issues rather than catastrophic failures. Get a full service history and independent inspection before buying, and budget for frequent small repairs rather than expecting trouble-free ownership.

The 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 has a decent first-time pass rate (75.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

30.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.3

Over 17.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

71k

Middle half: 55k–87k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 344 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 344 Mercedes Benz A 200 cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200

Based on MOT data from 344 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.8% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (50%)	173	73.8%	4.44
Petrol (49%)	170	77.3%	4.18

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,847 Mercedes Benz A 200 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 21.2%

603

White 18.2%

519

Grey 17.9%

509

Silver 17.3%

492

Blue 15.2%

432

Red 8.3%

235

Gold 1.6%

Green 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 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.

71,164

typical

54,763

low mileage

87,115

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 vehicles fall between 54,763 and 87,115 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 54,763 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.

✓ 54,763–87,115 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200s sit.

⚠ Over 117,605 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 29% of 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 86 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

17.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.3

Avg failures per vehicle

18.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz A 200: All A 200 years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2013 2014

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Mercedes Benz A 200 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing