Mercedes-Benz GLA220d — MOT pass rate & failures
3,762 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz GLA220d (2015–2023) give a 94.2% pass rate. That is 4.5 percentage points better than the 10.3% fail rate across all Mercedes-Benz GLA versions, so the GLA220d 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, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.0% in the 0-30k band and 11.7% in the 60-90k band, a 6.7-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 6.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,268 | 94.6% | 5.4% |
| 2021 | 1,855 | 94.4% | 5.6% |
| 2022 | 554 | 93.1% | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 50 | 96.0% | 4.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.0% | 149 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.0% | 36 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.8% | 30 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 26 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 9 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.2% | 9 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 33 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 30 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 30 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 11 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 9 |
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 | 20.0% | 754 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 282 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.3% | 162 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 104 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 58 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 12 |
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 | 2,283 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,348 | 6.8% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 11.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 470 | 4.0% |
| 2024 | 1,349 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 1,930 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA220d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (4.0% 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 (1.0% 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 (0.8% 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 GLA220d at MOT time?
94.2% of the 3,762 Mercedes-Benz GLA220d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate, better than the 10.3% average across all GLA versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Mercedes-Benz GLA220d?
Tyres, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by visibility (1.0%).
Does the GLA220d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 0-30k band to 11.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,762 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.