Mercedes-Benz GLA200d — MOT pass rate & failures
7,045 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLA200d (2015–2023) 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 GLA200d 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 wipers, tread depth and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 89 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.7% in the 0-30k band and 12.0% in the 60-90k band, a 7.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,537 | 93.4% | 6.6% |
| 2021 | 5,276 | 93.6% | 6.4% |
| 2022 | 182 | 95.0% | 5.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.7% | 260 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.6% | 115 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.1% | 74 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 50 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 38 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 37 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 13 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 89 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 84 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 78 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Washers | 37 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 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 | 18.6% | 1,310 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 603 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.4% | 380 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 227 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 73 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 15 |
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 | 3,380 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 3,342 | 7.7% |
| 60-90k | 307 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 682 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 3,092 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 3,258 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA200d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (3.7% 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 (1.6% 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 (1.1% 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 GLA200d at MOT time?
93.6% of the 7,045 Mercedes-Benz GLA200d 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 GLA200d?
Tyres, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by visibility (1.6%).
Does the GLA200d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,045 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.