Mercedes Benz A Class (2018)
2018 Mercedes Benz A Class
CarHunch analysed 40,586 real MOT records for the 2018 Mercedes Benz A Class. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class passes its MOT first time at 89%, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely impressive—but one in four of these cars has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate buyer concern. Petrol versions hold a slight edge over diesel at 89.9% versus 88.2% pass rate, though both are strong.
With a median mileage of just 34,334 miles at test time, these A-Classes are running relatively light for their age, yet they're still racking up nearly 5 advisories per vehicle on average, suggesting minor wear items need watching. Check the full service history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the electrical and suspension systems where advisory clusters tend to appear on this model.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- ⚠️ 25.4% 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (50%) | 20,335 | 89.9% | 0.68 |
| Diesel (50%) | 20,249 | 88.2% | 0.79 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Mercedes Benz A Class vehicles fall between 25,753 and 44,218 miles.
2018 Mercedes Benz A Class — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 38,552 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 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.
-
45.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
43.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
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
-
13.7%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.