2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA — MOT failures & pass rate
71,175 MOT tests on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA are in this dataset, and 89.1% of them passed. That is 1.0 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 11.9%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and visibility (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, joints and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 1,638 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.2% versus 5.7%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 9.9% of the time against 11.1% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 3,044 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,618 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 1,612 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 1,552 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,524 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 1,471 |
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 | 1,638 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,583 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 1,393 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,139 |
| 5 | Washers | 974 |
| 6 | Wipers | 822 |
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 | 24.4% | 17,371 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 11,076 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 5,003 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.1% | 2,239 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,634 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 944 |
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 | 15,768 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 36,987 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 14,914 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,907 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 481 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 55,680 | 11.1% |
| Petrol | 15,495 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,716 | 6.3% |
| 2022 | 13,883 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 14,292 | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 14,537 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 14,747 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 GLA
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 (2.3% 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.
- Suspension (2.3% 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLAs pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 71,175 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2017 GLA get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,175 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.