Skip to content

Mercedes-benz 280s vs Mercedes-benz A-class: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Mercedes-benz 280s
71%
MOT pass rate · 4 vehicles
Mercedes-benz A-class
78%
MOT pass rate · 362,612 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 280s (71%) and Mercedes-benz A-class (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mercedes-benz 280s Mercedes-benz A-class
MOT pass rate 71% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 29% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.7 1.6 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 77,901 mi 86,210 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 4 362,612

Most common faults

Mercedes-benz 280s

  1. Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
  2. Nearside Front Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
  3. Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
  4. Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)
  5. Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)
  6. Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Mercedes-benz A-class

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz 280s (71%) and Mercedes-benz A-class (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mercedes-benz 280s report Full Mercedes-benz A-class report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.