2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class passed 69.8% of its 2,428 recorded MOT tests. Small family cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.0%) and suspension (17.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 221 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 0-30k band and 32.4% in the 120-150k band, a 8.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 461 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 413 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 277 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 153 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 144 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 142 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 221 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 195 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 167 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 161 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 125 |
| 6 | Wipers | 120 |
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 | 43.9% | 1,066 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 935 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 597 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.4% | 496 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 451 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.5% | 231 |
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 | 158 | 24.1% |
| 30-60k | 471 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 909 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 457 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,218 | 30.0% |
| Diesel | 210 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 883 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 586 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 433 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 310 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 216 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 A-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (17.0% 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 (11.4% 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 2,428 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2000 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,428 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.