Mercedes-Benz A160 — MOT pass rate & failures
1,511 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz A160 (1999–2018) give an 80.0% pass rate. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than the 14.9% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz A-Class versions, so the A160 is a weaker pick within the range. Failures concentrate in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, side repeaters and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 82 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.6% once past 120-150k — 2.9× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 195 | 80.5% | 19.5% |
| 2010 | 474 | 77.0% | 23.0% |
| 2011 | 371 | 81.1% | 18.9% |
| 2012 | 375 | 81.9% | 18.1% |
| 2017 | 45 | 86.7% | 13.3% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 182 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.8% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 99 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 60 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 50 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 35 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 34 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 10 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 64 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 54 |
| 4 | Washers | 49 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 43 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 41 |
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 | 28.7% | 433 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.2% | 366 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.2% | 154 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.3% | 141 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 79 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 66 |
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 | 111 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 525 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 595 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 226 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 302 | 18.2% |
| 2022 | 296 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 307 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 311 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 295 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz A160
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.8% 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 (6.6% 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.
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 reliable is the Mercedes-Benz A160 at MOT time?
80.0% of the 1,511 Mercedes-Benz A160 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate, worse than the 14.9% average across all A-Class versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz A160?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.8%).
Does the A160 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,511 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.