2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,406 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 75.4% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.8% in the 150k+ group versus 13.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 6,335 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 4,159 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 4,113 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.4% | 3,664 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 2,168 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 1,948 |
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 | 3,293 |
| 2 | Washers | 3,100 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,259 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,027 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,935 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,870 |
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 | 37.9% | 16,461 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.0% | 12,162 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.5% | 8,452 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.0% | 5,660 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 3,804 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 3,377 |
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 | 1,022 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 7,822 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 15,543 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 12,375 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,936 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,655 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 31,747 | 24.0% |
| Diesel | 11,658 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,269 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 9,568 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 8,829 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 7,859 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 6,881 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 A-Class
Before buying a 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
- Suspension (9.5% 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.
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
75.4% of the 43,406 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (9.6%).
Does the 2007 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,406 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.