1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,635 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 45.0% in the 150k+ group versus 26.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 279 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.0% | 180 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 98 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 96 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 163 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 145 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 100 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 99 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 88 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 79 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.6% | 663 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.8% | 601 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.4% | 415 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 298 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.0% | 278 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 167 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 46 | 26.1% |
| 30-60k | 436 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 573 | 32.6% |
| 90-120k | 349 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 146 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 45.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,458 | 30.8% |
| Diesel | 177 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 577 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 409 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 282 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 210 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 157 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 A-Class
Before buying a 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 1,635 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.1%).
Does the 1999 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.1% in the 0-30k band to 45.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,635 MOT tests. 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.