Mercedes A160
From 373 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 13 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 10 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 8 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 7 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 7 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 7 |
| audible warning inoperative | 7 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 6 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 6 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 5 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 26.3% of A160 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 34.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £124.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 81% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2010 | 76.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud |
Typical mileage
Half of all A160s tested had between 54,125 and 89,641 miles on the clock.
At 71,387 median miles, the A160 has 0.033 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes models
| Mercedes Unclassified | 77.5% |
| Mercedes Ml 250 | 85.7% |
Common questions
What is the Mercedes A160 MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes A160 has a 76.1% MOT pass rate based on 373 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes A160?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes A160 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 13 failures. Other common issues include a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes A160 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes A160 is 71,387 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 54,125 and 89,641 miles.
Buying a used A160?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 76.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £124 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 26.3% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.