Mercedes-Benz A250 — MOT pass rate & failures
1,216 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz A250 (2013–2022) give a 92.1% pass rate. That is 7.0 percentage points better than the 14.9% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz A-Class versions, so the A250 is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.6% once past 60-90k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.4% in 2023 to 7.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 83.6% | 16.4% |
| 2021 | 727 | 92.0% | 8.0% |
| 2022 | 375 | 93.3% | 6.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.9% | 59 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 22 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 5 |
| 7 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 5 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 5 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 3 | Wipers | 13 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 8 |
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 | 20.2% | 246 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.0% | 85 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.4% | 41 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 36 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.8% | 10 |
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 | 794 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 361 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 47 | 10.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 385 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 762 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz A250
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (4.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.6% 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 reliable is the Mercedes-Benz A250 at MOT time?
92.1% of the 1,216 Mercedes-Benz A250 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.9% fail rate, better than the 14.9% average across all A-Class versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz A250?
Tyres, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the A250 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 10.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,216 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.