Mercedes-Benz GLA180 — MOT pass rate & failures
The Mercedes-Benz GLA180 passed 92.7% of its 21,391 MOT tests, covering model years 2014–2023. That is 3.0 percentage points better than the 10.3% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz GLA versions, so the GLA180 is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 446 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 9.8% in the 90-120k band, a 4.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 8.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11,547 | 92.5% | 7.5% |
| 2020 | 5,604 | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| 2021 | 3,201 | 92.4% | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 1,021 | 91.3% | 8.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 764 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 421 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.9% | 418 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 229 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 112 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 97 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 91 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 67 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 446 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 396 |
| 3 | Wipers | 259 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 212 |
| 5 | Washers | 189 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 83 |
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 | 20.7% | 4,422 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 2,455 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 1,494 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 578 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 204 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.4% | 78 |
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 | 12,388 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 7,986 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 946 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 61 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,998 | 6.0% |
| 2023 | 4,749 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 6,393 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 7,238 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA180
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (3.6% 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 (2.0% 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.
- Brakes (1.9% 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 GLA180 at MOT time?
92.7% of the 21,391 Mercedes-Benz GLA180 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate, better than the 10.3% average across all GLA versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz GLA180?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the GLA180 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 9.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,391 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.