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Mercedes-benz A-class vs Mercedes-benz Cls500: reliability comparison

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

Mercedes-benz A-class
78%
MOT pass rate · 362,612 vehicles
Mercedes-benz Cls500
86%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz A-class (78%) and Mercedes-benz Cls500 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mercedes-benz A-class Mercedes-benz Cls500
MOT pass rate 78% 86% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 14% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 0.9 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% ✓ 17%
Average mileage 86,210 mi 66,964 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 362,612 2

Most common faults

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))

Mercedes-benz Cls500

  1. Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge offside and nearside (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))
  3. Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing NEARSIDE AND OFFSIDE REAR TYRES (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  4. Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))
  5. Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mercedes-benz A-class (78%) and Mercedes-benz Cls500 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mercedes-benz A-class report Full Mercedes-benz Cls500 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.