2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,544 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.9% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.5% in the 150k+ group versus 24.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 963 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 895 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 647 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.5% | 359 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 312 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 283 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 411 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 399 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 388 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 299 |
| 5 | Wipers | 284 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 274 |
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 | 44.3% | 2,453 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.5% | 1,967 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 1,423 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.1% | 1,227 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 1,018 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 550 |
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 | 281 | 24.2% |
| 30-60k | 768 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,944 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,277 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 487 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 203 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,678 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 866 | 32.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,872 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 1,351 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 1,045 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 718 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 558 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 A-Class
Before buying a 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (11.7% 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 5,544 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2001 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,544 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.