2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 34,754 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 79.7% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (77.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.4% in the 150k+ group versus 12.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 4,138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.0% | 2,438 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 1,991 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 1,649 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 1,217 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 947 |
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 | 1,874 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 1,551 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,295 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,167 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,014 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 873 |
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 | 30.3% | 10,539 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 8,779 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.7% | 3,728 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 3,256 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 1,596 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 1,365 |
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 | 2,285 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 12,486 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 12,492 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 5,557 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,521 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 407 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 22,548 | 19.9% |
| Diesel | 12,206 | 21.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,068 | 18.1% |
| 2022 | 7,074 | 19.0% |
| 2023 | 7,051 | 20.3% |
| 2024 | 6,953 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 6,608 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 A-Class
Before buying a 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.0% 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.
- Suspension (5.7% 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 34,754 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by brakes (7.0%).
Does the 2011 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,754 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.