2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Rigid brake pipes2× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  33.8% All 2000 cars

  17.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.6% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Shock absorbers2.7× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  16.3% All 2000 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  16.7% All 2000 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 1.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Sub-frame2.9× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  10.3% All 2000 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  13.5% All 2000 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  47% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Steering
  16% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?