Mercedes-Benz GLA200 — MOT pass rate & failures
32,537 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLA200 (2017–2023) give a 93.6% pass rate. That is 3.9 percentage points better than the 10.3% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz GLA versions, so the GLA200 is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 552 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.4% versus 4.8%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 7.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 57 | 89.5% | 10.5% |
| 2019 | 9,890 | 93.6% | 6.4% |
| 2020 | 15,136 | 93.5% | 6.5% |
| 2021 | 4,982 | 93.6% | 6.4% |
| 2022 | 2,329 | 94.8% | 5.2% |
| 2023 | 116 | 96.5% | 3.5% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,068 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 503 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 458 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 399 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 193 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 103 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 89 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 82 |
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 | 552 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 492 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 392 |
| 4 | Wipers | 327 |
| 5 | Washers | 177 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 116 |
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 | 19.1% | 6,221 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 3,214 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 2,040 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 801 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 303 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 76 |
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 | 20,370 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 11,097 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 975 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,600 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 7,713 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 9,940 | 6.5% |
| 2025 | 12,262 | 7.1% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA200
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Brakes (1.6% 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.
- 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.
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 GLA200 at MOT time?
93.6% of the 32,537 Mercedes-Benz GLA200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate, better than the 10.3% average across all GLA versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz GLA200?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the GLA200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,537 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.