2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA — MOT failures & pass rate
5,261 MOT tests on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA are in this dataset, and 93.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (6.6% 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
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and visibility (1.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 66 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.3% versus 5.4%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 6.2% of the time against 6.8% for hybrid.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 216 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.4% | 76 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 33 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 30 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 66 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 65 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 5 | Washers | 20 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 18 |
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 | 16.4% | 864 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.6% | 294 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 237 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 186 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 91 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 17 |
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 | 3,828 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,283 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 138 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,457 | 6.2% |
| Hybrid | 1,068 | 6.8% |
| Diesel | 736 | 6.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 237 | 4.2% |
| 2025 | 5,023 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2022 GLA
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.1% 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 (1.4% 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 (0.8% 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 GLAs pass their MOT?
93.7% of the 5,261 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by visibility (1.4%).
Does the 2022 GLA get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,261 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.