2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rigid brake pipes3.3× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  19% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

• Side repeaters5.1× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  6.1% All 2011 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Horn4.8× usual
  Mercedes-Benz A-Class

  2.4% All 2011 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.5% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 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.

• Brakes
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  17% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  4% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Poor reliability: suspension and electrical faults

  All engines

  Faults were incredibly common, especially suspension and electrical ones, and the average repair bill was over £500.

  At the viewing: Get a pre-purchase inspection, listen for suspension knocks and test every electrical item.

  Source: What Car?: used Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2005-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol

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

1. What has gone wrong and been fixed?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the horn? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?