2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,931 MOT tests, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class recorded a 92.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (7.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests against 1.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 283 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 11.8% in the 90-120k band, a 6.0-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 6.5% fail against 10.3% for hybrid, a 3.8-point gap across 18,243 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 951 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.5% | 292 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 241 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 157 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 125 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 63 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 283 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 232 |
| 3 | Wipers | 201 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 135 |
| 5 | Washers | 124 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 89 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.3% | 3,855 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 1,148 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 910 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 686 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.6% | 526 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 119 |
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 | 12,924 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 6,049 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 850 | 10.6% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 15,227 | 6.5% |
| Hybrid | 3,016 | 10.3% |
| Diesel | 1,688 | 7.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 978 | 4.8% |
| 2025 | 18,931 | 7.2% |
What to check before buying a 2022 A-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
92.9% of the 19,931 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.5%).
Does the 2022 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,931 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.