Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Volkswagen Golf
On MOT-testable defects, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (fail rate 14.9%) performed better than the Volkswagen Golf (18.6%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was suspension, where the Golf recorded failures more often.
14.9%
A-Class fail rate
18.6%
Golf fail rate
3.64pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 1,863,609 | 5,284,210 |
| Pass rate | 85.1% | 81.5% |
| Fail rate | 14.9% | 18.6% |
Where they differ
| Category | A-Class | Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3.9% | 8.1% |
| Body, structure & corrosion | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Visibility | 3.3% | 0.0% |
| Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 7.6% |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 5.5% |
| Tyres | 5.9% | 5.5% |
Methodology & source. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.