Car statistics by year

2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first registered in 2016: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 2016, so like is set against like.

A year of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. “2016” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
37,948 MOT tests of 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 75.3% All 2016 cars 75.6%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 72,200 miles; all 2016 cars 65,300
  • Left at the end of 2025 37,643 95.7% of the 39,354 at the end of 2016
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 8.5% All 2016 cars 6.7%
  • Tests with an advisory 46.2% All 2016 cars 48.6%
  • MOT tests in 2025 37,948 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 9 years old, 75.3% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 75.6% for all cars first registered in 2016. 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes did about as well as average for their age. A year earlier the same cars passed 77.8% of the time (all 2016 cars 77.5%).

MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs all cars

Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Mercedes-Benz A-Class bar with the all-cars bar beside it.

MOT first-time pass rate in 2025 by year of first registration, Mercedes-Benz A-Class compared with all cars
First registered Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAll cars
’10 62.4%59.3%
’11 66.0%61.5%
’12 66.7%63.6%
’13 68.6%66.0%
’14 69.4%69.1%
’15 72.0%72.6%
’16 75.3%75.6%
’17 77.9%79.1%
’18 82.5%81.8%
’19 85.3%84.4%
’20 87.5%86.9%
’21 89.7%88.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Coil spring: fractured or broken was the most common single reason a 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class failed, on 17.8% of about 9,400 failed tests. By area of the car, tyres failed most often (35.1% of failed tests; all 2016 cars 27.6%). 8.5% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 6.7% for all cars first registered in 2016. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 17.8%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 11.1%
Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension 10.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 10.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes 8.0%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 7.5%
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 7.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 6.5%
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 5.1%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 4.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs all 2016 cars

The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.

Share of failed 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 2016 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Tyres 35.1%
Suspension 34.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 21.1%
Brakes 15.3%
Visibility 14.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks 11.0%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 5.5%
Road wheels 3.3%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 46.2% of 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests had at least one (all 2016 cars 48.6%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 20.4%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 9.5%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 9.1%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 8.4%
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes 4.5%
Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 2.2%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories 2.0%
Nail in tyre Non-component advisories 1.9%
Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension 1.9%
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle 1.9%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Half of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 72,200 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 56,100 and a quarter more than 90,300. For all cars first registered in 2016, the middle figure was 65,300 miles, so 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes have been driven 10.6% further than average.

Mileage at the 2025 MOT

Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.

Odometer readings at the 2025 MOT, 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and all 2016 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 42,600 56,100 72,200 90,300 109,300 36,323
All 2016 cars 32,200 47,000 65,300 86,000 108,800 2,323,151
miles

Half of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 72,200 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes are left?

At the end of 2016, 39,354 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom. By the end of 2025, 37,643 were: 37,199 licensed and 444 declared off the road (SORN). That is 95.7% still on the record, against 94.1% for all cars first registered in 2016.

Share still on the record since 2016

Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2016. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.

2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2016, compared with all 2016 cars
Year end 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAll 2016 cars
2016 100.0%100.0%
2017 97.5%100.0%
2018 97.6%99.0%
2019 96.1%96.5%
2020 95.4%96.5%
2021 96.0%96.6%
2022 96.7%96.4%
2023 96.4%95.6%
2024 96.1%95.0%
2025 95.7%94.1%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2016

24 of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class’s 92 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2016. 3 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 2016 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2016 may have been built in 2015, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class recalls whose build dates include 2016
Launched Concern Built Vehicles
7 Feb 2024 On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair. 24 Sept 2012 to 8 Mar 2018 45 (all models)
13 Mar 2023 Affected vehicles have an engine control unit software that deviates from the local legal requirements 31 Mar 2015 to 5 Apr 2018 2,593 (all models)
1 Dec 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 7 (all models)
29 Nov 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 50,390 (all models)
20 Aug 2021 Vehicles with a panoramic sunroofthe polycarbonate panel may not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair 30 Jul 2013 to 29 Oct 2019 61 (all models)
21 Jul 2021 A bore in the universal joint on the steering shaft might not meet specifications 30 Nov 2016 to 28 Feb 2017 13,707 (all models)
13 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 108,971 (all models)
12 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 16,122
11 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 86,604 (all models)
10 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 90,716 (all models)
5 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 162,581 (all models)
5 May 2021 The emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 106,665 (all models)
5 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 10,410 (all models)
5 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 81,267 (all models)
5 May 2021 The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications 4 Jan 2016 to 29 Jan 2021 7 (all models)
30 Mar 2021 The communication module may be deactivated 3 May 2016 to 2 Jul 2020 24 (all models)
21 Jul 2020 The calibration of the occupant classification system for the passenger seat may not meet the specification 29 Apr 2015 to 2 Nov 2017 75 (all models)
17 Apr 2019 A reset in the CPC control unit could occur whilst driving 1 May 2016 to 31 Aug 2018 69 (all models)
11 Jun 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 78,608 (all models)
11 May 2018 Steering components may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 74,329 (all models)
9 Apr 2018 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 67,027 (all models)
18 Dec 2017 Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded 1 Nov 2011 to 31 Jul 2017 46,093 (all models)
20 Jun 2017 Airbag may not deploy correctly 1 Aug 2016 to 31 Mar 2017 1,034 (all models)
20 Jun 2017 Starting current limiter may overload 1 Feb 2014 to 28 Feb 2017 74,444 (all models)

Every Mercedes-Benz A-Class recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls

Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

21 years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2011 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (66.0% passed first time) and the 2003 cars worst (53.7%).

Mercedes-Benz A-Classes by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
2002 1,648 56.1% 59.7%
2003 1,767 53.7% 58.9%
2004 1,362 54.5% 57.9%
2005 2,859 59.8% 57.7%
2006 4,101 57.4% 56.9%
2007 5,439 57.7% 57.3%
2008 6,119 57.9% 57.0%
2009 6,384 59.5% 58.2%
2010 5,849 62.4% 59.3%
2011 5,255 66.0% 61.5%
2012 5,173 66.7% 63.6%
2013 15,547 68.6% 66.0%
2014 26,140 23,503 69.4% 69.1%
2015 28,190 26,667 72.0% 72.6%
2016 39,354 37,643 75.3% 75.6%
2017 41,620 40,333 77.9% 79.1%
2018 41,604 40,090 82.5% 81.8%
2019 47,934 45,919 85.3% 84.4%
2020 34,881 33,393 87.5% 86.9%
2021 28,422 27,095 89.7% 88.4%
2022 17,195 16,305 90.7% 89.4%

Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring
2025 37,948 MOT tests of 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 37,643 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) 15 September 2026
  • MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first registered in 2016; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2016.
  • Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
  • Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
  • Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
  • Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.