Car statistics by year

2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars first registered in 2020: 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 2020, so like is set against like.

A year of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. “2020” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
35,507 MOT tests of 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 87.5% All 2020 cars 86.9%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 38,900 miles; all 2020 cars 36,000
  • Left at the end of 2025 33,393 95.7% of the 34,881 at the end of 2020
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 5.0% All 2020 cars 4.7%
  • Tests with an advisory 36.8% All 2020 cars 38.2%
  • MOT tests in 2025 35,507 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 5 years old, 87.5% of 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 86.9% for all cars first registered in 2020. 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes did about as well as average for their age. A year earlier the same cars passed 89.1% of the time (all 2020 cars 88.0%).

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
’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%
’22 90.7%89.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords was the most common single reason a 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class failed, on 16.6% of about 4,400 failed tests. By area of the car, tyres failed most often (45.5% of failed tests; all 2020 cars 39.8%). 5.0% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 4.7% for all cars first registered in 2020. 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 16.6%
Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres 14.0%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes 12.8%
Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres 7.5%
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 6.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks 5.8%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 5.6%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 5.4%
Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 4.9%
Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres 3.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs all 2020 cars

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

Share of failed 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 2020 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Tyres 45.5%
Brakes 19.2%
Visibility 13.9%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 11.8%
Suspension 10.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks 7.0%
Road wheels 3.5%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 2.9%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 36.8% of 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests had at least one (all 2020 cars 38.2%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 17.2%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 8.8%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 8.2%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 3.5%
Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes 3.4%
Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres 2.3%
Nail in tyre Non-component advisories 1.9%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories 1.7%
Linkage ball joint has slight play Suspension 1.0%
Tyres: slightly damaged Tyres 0.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Half of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 38,900 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 28,600 and a quarter more than 51,600. For all cars first registered in 2020, the middle figure was 36,000 miles, so 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes have been driven 8.1% 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, 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and all 2020 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 20,500 28,600 38,900 51,600 66,100 33,970
All 2020 cars 17,200 25,300 36,000 49,000 63,900 1,452,206
miles

Half of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 38,900 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes are left?

At the end of 2020, 34,881 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom. By the end of 2025, 33,393 were: 33,131 licensed and 262 declared off the road (SORN). That is 95.7% still on the record, against 96.9% for all cars first registered in 2020.

Share still on the record since 2020

Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2020. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.

2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Classes on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2020, compared with all 2020 cars
Year end 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAll 2020 cars
2020 100.0%100.0%
2021 98.8%99.4%
2022 97.9%98.4%
2023 95.5%95.6%
2024 95.8%96.7%
2025 95.7%96.9%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 2020

23 of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class’s 92 recalls in DVSA’s records cover cars built during 2020. 3 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 2020 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 2020 may have been built in 2019, 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 2020
Launched Concern Built Vehicles
6 May 2024 SRPC2404 – Backup function of steering software 25 Jan 2018 to 2 Feb 2024 182,919
24 Mar 2022 Bolting on brake caliper housing might not meet specifications 7 Dec 2019 to 24 Nov 2021 17 (all models)
28 Jan 2022 Power supply connection of power steering might have been contaminated with adhesive 25 Jun 2020 to 8 Jul 2020 113 (all models)
14 Jan 2022 Locking pawl spring of the left hand side door locks might not be greased correctly 19 Jan 2020 to 3 Feb 2021 2,829 (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)
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)
15 Apr 2021 The variant of spark plugs installed may not meet specifications 3 Sept 2019 to 24 Aug 2020 7 (all models)
30 Mar 2021 The software of certain communication modules may not meet specifications 3 Feb 2017 to 11 Mar 2020 36 (all models)
30 Mar 2021 The communication module may be deactivated 3 May 2016 to 2 Jul 2020 24 (all models)
18 Feb 2021 The right handle for attaching the child seat to the ISOFIX bracket may be missing on the rear right seat 30 Jul 2020 to 10 Sept 2020 543 (all models)
7 Dec 2020 The oil level in the dual clutch transmission might not meet specifications 1 Nov 2018 to 17 Feb 2020 129 (all models)
4 Dec 2020 The oil level in the dual clutch transmission might noot meet specifications 1 Nov 2018 to 17 Feb 2020 72 (all models)
27 Oct 2020 An electrical contact inside the engine control unit may not meet the specification 11 Dec 2019 to 9 Jan 2020 37 (all models)
12 Oct 2020 The oil supply line of the turbocharger may leak 21 Oct 2019 to 26 Jun 2020 1,074 (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 35,507 MOT tests of 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 33,393 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 2020; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 2020.
  • 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.