2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

MOT tests in 2025, published 22 Jun 2026. DVSA publishes a new year each summer.

2,418 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first used in 2005 had an MOT in 2025, at about 20 years old, and 59.8% passed first time. That is above the 57.6% for all cars first used in 2005.

The year is when the car was first used, as on its V5C log book, not the model year.

Common failures

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars tested that failed on, or had fixed at the station, each item. Worth checking before the MOT or before you buy.

Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failure items
2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class common failures
ItemValue
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.1%
Stop lamp: not working5.8%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.3%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid4.6%
Coil spring: fractured or broken4.1%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Common advisories

Things the tester noticed that were not bad enough to fail. They often turn into failures later. What advisories mean for the next MOT.

Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class advisories
2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class common advisories
ItemValue
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge19.7%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material16.0%
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing15.2%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened13.5%
Coil spring: corroded9.1%
Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated8.4%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Where the faults are

The share of cars tested with at least one failure or fix in each part of the car.

2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class faults by area
2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class faults by area
ItemValue
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment19.3%
Visibility10.6%
Body, chassis, structure10.5%
Suspension10.0%
Brakes9.7%
Tyres5.8%

Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Typical mileage

Recorded mileage at the MOT. A car well above this range has done more work than most; one far below is worth a closer look at its MOT history.

2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class recorded mileage
2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class mileage
CarsLowTypicalHigh
2,30662,70083,900 miles106,800

The middle half of cars fall between the low and high figures. Source: DVSA, tests in 2025, published 22 June 2026.

Other Mercedes-Benz A-Class years

Mercedes-Benz A-Class first-time pass rate by year first used
YearTestsPassed first timeAll cars that year
202219,17290.3%88.5%
202130,27089.7%87.2%
202036,06887.5%86.0%
201951,17285.3%83.5%
201841,26282.5%80.9%
201740,66777.9%78.2%
201637,94575.3%74.9%
201526,52172.0%71.9%
201423,19769.4%68.6%
201315,50468.6%65.8%
20125,18666.7%63.5%
20115,28266.0%61.2%
20105,90262.4%59.3%
20096,48559.5%58.3%
20086,09757.9%57.2%
20075,29257.7%57.4%
20063,71257.4%57.0%
20052,41859.8%57.6%

Checking one car?

These figures describe groups of cars. A vehicle history report shows the full MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen records for one registration.

Figures from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing data for MOT tests in 2025, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Analysis by Motoring Insider. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we work out these figures.