Mercedes Benz Gla (2018)
2018 Mercedes Benz Gla
CarHunch analysed 16,400 real MOT records for the 2018 Mercedes Benz Gla. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA is a strong performer: it passes its MOT first time in 90.1% of cases, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are present in just 19.1% of vehicles—low enough not to be a structural concern. Petrol and diesel variants are virtually matched in reliability, both hovering around 90% pass rates.
At 33,144 miles median, these cars are running genuinely low mileage for their age, which explains the healthy pass rate and the modest 0.66 average failures per vehicle. The real tell is the 4.7 advisories per test: this suggests accumulated minor wear rather than systemic problems, so when you're shopping for one, budget for preventative maintenance on smaller items but expect the mechanicals to be sound.
What to check before buying a 2018 Mercedes Benz Gla
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 Gla
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 (53%) | 8,664 | 89.9% | 0.67 |
| Diesel (47%) | 7,735 | 90.3% | 0.65 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 Mercedes Benz Gla 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 Gla vehicles fall between 24,965 and 42,676 miles.
2018 Mercedes Benz Gla — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 15,643 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% 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 Gla
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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45.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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44.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
24.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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21.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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21.1%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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14.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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13.4%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
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12.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mercedes Benz Gla?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.