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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 522,114 MOT tests of cars first registered 2014–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
85.9%pass first time
+3.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 80%of cars
522,114MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class passes its MOT first time on 85.9% of tests, 3.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (82.2%). That puts it ahead of 80% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 GLA-Class does best (beats 96% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 67%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 97%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 64%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.5×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers6.0×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7×as often as a typical car
Engine warning light1.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%345678910111291%89%83%78%77%
Mercedes-Benz GLA-ClassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2014
Beats 96%
2015
Beats 88%
2016
Beats 83%
2017
Beats 75%
2018
Beats 69%
2019
Beats 67%
2020
Beats 85%
2021
Beats 91%
2022
Beats 84%
2023
Beats 92%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2014–2019286,51284.3%Beats 83%A
1.6 Petrol2016–2020156,07586.7%Beats 64%B
2.0 Petrol2014–201932,52689.2%Beats 97%A
1.3 Petrol2020–202326,59791.2%Beats 88%A
2.0 Diesel2020–202112,80191.4%Beats 95%A
1.3 Hybrid2020–20227,60390.8%Beats 92%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 2.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 2.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.5 ptsTyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.1 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.3 ptsExhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 2.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 2.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.5 ptsTyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 2.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.1 ptsSuspension: 2.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.3 ptsExhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
4.8% vs 5.6%
Suspension
2.7% vs 3.0%
Lights & electrics
2.3% vs 4.8%
Visibility
2.3% vs 3.4%
Brakes
2.3% vs 3.3%
Body & structure
1.3% vs 0.9%
Emissions & leaks
1.3% vs 1.2%
Seat belts & airbags
0.4% vs 0.4%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Engine warning light 1.5× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k95%90%86%80%77%73%72%
Mercedes-Benz GLA-ClassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.7%3.3%0.8×
Tyre tread depth1.8%1.9%0.9×
Brake pads1.8%1.8%1.0×
Headlight aim1.3%1.8%0.7×
Coil springs1.2%1.0%1.2×
Ball joint dust covers1.2%0.2%6.0×
Windscreen washers1.2%1.3%0.9×
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.1%0.4%2.7×
Windscreen wipers1.0%2.0%0.5×
Engine warning light1.0%0.6%1.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged19.1
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements17.8
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm13.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements12.6
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction12.1
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc12.1
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened12.0
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc11.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class1 engine91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,63891.4%Beats 92%A
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class2 engines91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol5,31491.5%Beats 81%A
1.3 Hybrid1,65891.0%Beats 92%A
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class3 engines91.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol10,45791.0%Beats 86%A
2.0 Diesel9,49391.3%Beats 94%A
1.3 Hybrid4,64290.5%Beats 90%A
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class4 engines90.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol20,82689.6%Beats 78%B
1.3 Petrol9,18891.4%Beats 92%A
2.0 Diesel3,30891.7%Beats 97%A
1.3 Hybrid1,30391.3%Beats 95%A
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class3 engines87.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol74,57187.1%Beats 65%B
2.1 Diesel5,78487.6%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol1,13391.3%Beats 96%A
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class3 engines86.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel45,71086.2%Beats 77%B
1.6 Petrol44,51385.3%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol5,27890.4%Beats 95%A
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class3 engines85.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel67,51084.7%Beats 75%B
1.6 Petrol13,56684.9%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol5,51290.1%Beats 96%A
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class3 engines84.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel72,04383.8%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol8,07388.7%Beats 96%A
1.6 Petrol2,59986.1%Beats 82%A
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class2 engines83.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel69,61183.2%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol7,82888.9%Beats 99%A
2014 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class2 engines84.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel25,85483.3%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol4,70287.8%Beats 99%A

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class MOT pass rate?

85.9% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class were passed first time, based on 522,114 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2014–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 82.2% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 80% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 GLA-Class does best for its age and mileage: it beats 96% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 67%.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 64%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, ball joint dust covers comes up 6.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.