Mercedes Benz A Class (2009)
2009 Mercedes Benz A Class
CarHunch analysed 8,743 real MOT records for the 2009 Mercedes Benz A Class. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hits the UK average pass rate of 80%, so reliability is broadly in line with expectations for a 15-year-old car—but the concerning part is that 37.1% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd want to see. Petrol versions edge ahead with an 80.6% pass rate against diesel's 78.7%, a minor but consistent advantage.
These A-Classes are running at a sensible 52,672 miles median, suggesting owners have been reasonably gentle with them, yet they're still racking up an average of 3.43 failures and 20.6 advisories per test, indicating age-related wear is catching up. Before you commit, get a pre-purchase inspection done and specifically ask a mechanic to check the history for what those dangerous defects were—they matter more than the headline pass rate here.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 Mercedes Benz A Class
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 37.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz A Class
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (68%) | 5,916 | 80.6% | 3.35 |
| Diesel (32%) | 2,825 | 78.7% | 3.61 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 60% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Mercedes Benz A Class vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2009 Mercedes Benz A Class vehicles fall between 39,154 and 67,813 miles.
2009 Mercedes Benz A Class — Still on the Road
6,187 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 Mercedes Benz A Class
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55.7%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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52.7%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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47.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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46.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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33.6%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz A Class?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.