Mercedes-Benz GLA: what fails at MOT
138,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLA in 2024, counted. 13.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.2% of Mercedes-Benz GLA tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17%, so the GLA does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3% of tests), suspension (1.8% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (1.4% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,120 | 7.6% | 10.9% | 24,000 16,900 to 32,500 |
| 2020 | 13,866 | 7.9% | 11.5% | 26,800 19,200 to 36,200 |
| 2019 | 23,007 | 11.1% | 13.4% | 34,000 25,000 to 44,300 |
| 2018 | 25,244 | 12.9% | 15.6% | 43,000 32,300 to 55,400 |
| 2017 | 21,234 | 15.5% | 18.2% | 52,700 40,600 to 66,400 |
| 2016 | 17,338 | 17.3% | 21.3% | 62,000 48,600 to 76,900 |
| 2015 | 15,426 | 17.6% | 24.4% | 68,500 54,600 to 85,200 |
| 2014 | 6,506 | 16.6% | 27.7% | 73,100 57,300 to 90,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz GLA tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | GLA | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.0% | 3.6% | |
| Suspension | 1.8% | 2.2% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.4% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 1.4% | 2.3% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.3% | 3.3% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.8% | 0.9% | |
| Body and structure | 0.8% | 0.7% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.8%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Engine warning light0.8%
- Coil spring0.8%
- Washers0.7%
- Driveshaft joint0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.7%
- Wipers0.6%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.5%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.2%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.0%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.6%
- Nail in tyre1.4%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz GLA's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.