2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 85.4% of Mercedes-Benz GLAs first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. Across 50,543 GLA first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz GLAs first used in 2019 (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

Passed first time, 2025
85.4%
of 16,741 first tests; all cars first used in 2019: 83.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
50,543
first tests, 2023–2025; 16,741 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
51.1%
of 16,741 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
41,500
middle half: 31,000–53,500 miles; all cars first used in 2019: 44,000

How the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, GLAs first used in 2019 against all cars first used in 2019 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the GLA figure was 1.9 points higher.

2019 GLAAll cars first used in 2019
80%90%100%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2019, test year 2021: 89.2%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2022: 87.8%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2023: 86.2%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2024: 84.9%All cars first used in 2019, test year 2025: 83.5%2019 GLA, test year 2021: 92.7%2019 GLA, test year 2022: 90.4%2019 GLA, test year 2023: 88.8%2019 GLA, test year 2024: 87.4%2019 GLA, test year 2025: 85.4%85.4%83.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2019 GLAAll cars first used 2019GLA first tests
202192.7%89.2%586
202290.4%87.8%17,214
202388.8%86.2%16,939
202487.4%84.9%16,863
202585.4%83.5%16,741

Common 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT failures

Share of the 6,466 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%.

Tyres40.8%
Brakes20.5%
Visibility18.0%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment13.3%
Body, chassis, structure8.5%
Suspension6.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks5.9%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm17.5%1,129
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick14.0%907
Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords8.3%534
Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.5%486
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid7.3%470

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  2. 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.
  3. Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.

Common 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2019 GLAs, as a share of all 50,543 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.5%6,832
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.2%5,655
Brake pads: wearing thin10.3%5,196
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.2%2,105
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively3.4%1,709

Questions about the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

In 2025, 85.4% of GLAs first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2019 GLA most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 40.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (20.5%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (18.0%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (17.5%).

How often does a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA fail its MOT?

In 2025, 14.6% of first tests on GLAs first used in 2019 did not pass first time: 12.4% failed, and a further 2.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,466 of 50,543 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.2%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.2%) and “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (3.4%).

Is a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA 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 92.7% in 2021 to 85.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2019

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2019 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2019 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2019 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics

How the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2019 GLA” means a Mercedes-Benz GLA whose date of first use falls in 2019 (68, 19 and 69 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2019, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.