Mercedes Benz A Class (2016)
2016 Mercedes Benz A Class
CarHunch analysed 39,040 real MOT records for the 2016 Mercedes Benz A Class. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class passes its MOT first time at 86.2%, which is a solid 6 percentage points above the UK average, but the concerning figure here is that 38.3% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above the typical threshold—so mechanical issues on this car can be serious when they occur. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 88.3% pass rate versus diesels at 85.5%, suggesting the petrol engines are marginally more robust.
At just over 52,800 miles median, these cars are running well within normal wear expectations for their age, yet they're still averaging 1.25 failures per vehicle, indicating that when something breaks, it's often material enough to fail the test. The 7.3 advisories per car suggest routine maintenance costs accumulate; budget for suspension, cooling, and electrical niggles as standard maintenance tasks. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the braking system and suspension components, as these account for a disproportionate share of the dangerous defects recorded.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 38.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (76%) | 29,560 | 85.5% | 1.31 |
| Petrol (24%) | 9,480 | 88.3% | 1.04 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Mercedes Benz A Class vehicles fall between 41,283 and 66,630 miles.
2016 Mercedes Benz A Class — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 36,258 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 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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45.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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43.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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22.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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22.4%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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20.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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17.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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13.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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13.7%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.