Mercedes Benz A (2021)
2021 Mercedes Benz A
CarHunch analysed 17,002 real MOT records for the 2021 Mercedes Benz A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A is a strong performer with a first-time pass rate of 93.5%, significantly ahead of the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are rare at just 8.3% of vehicles. Both petrol and diesel variants pass at nearly identical rates—93.7% and 93.3% respectively—so fuel choice makes no reliability difference here.
At a median mileage of 26,255 miles, these cars are still relatively young with low wear, and the average of just 0.21 failures per vehicle confirms they're holding up well so far. When issues do arise, advisories (averaging 1.5 per car) tend to be minor—a practical sign that if you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension and electrical systems will catch any emerging problems early.
What to check before buying a 2021 Mercedes Benz A
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.
- 📄 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (66%) | 11,180 | 93.7% | 0.21 |
| Diesel (34%) | 5,821 | 93.3% | 0.22 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2021 Mercedes Benz A 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 2021 Mercedes Benz A vehicles fall between 18,858 and 34,858 miles.
2021 Mercedes Benz A — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 16,624 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2021 Mercedes Benz A
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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30.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
13.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12.2%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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11.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
10.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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8.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz A?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.