2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 66.7% of Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 16,072 A-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, A-Class cars first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the A-Class figure was 3.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 A-Class | All cars first used 2012 | A-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72.1% | 68.8% | 5,611 |
| 2022 | 72.7% | 67.4% | 5,582 |
| 2023 | 69.2% | 65.6% | 5,522 |
| 2024 | 67.2% | 64.3% | 5,360 |
| 2025 | 66.7% | 63.5% | 5,190 |
Common 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failures
Share of the 5,189 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 14.5% | 754 |
| Side repeaters: not working | 12.9% | 669 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 8.3% | 431 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 8.1% | 421 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 6.6% | 343 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an A-Class in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 A-Class cars, as a share of all 16,072 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.7% | 2,363 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 13.2% | 2,126 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.7% | 1,887 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.5% | 1,681 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.3% | 1,007 |
Questions about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
In 2025, 66.7% of A-Class cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 A-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 41.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (29.0%) and brakes (26.2%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (14.5%).
How often does a 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 33.3% of first tests on A-Class cars first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 27.4% failed, and a further 5.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,189 of 16,072 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.7%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.5%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.3%).
Is a 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 72.1% in 2021 to 66.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 A-Class?
The numbers above cover every A-Class first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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