2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 46,843 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.0% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.5% in the 150k+ group versus 13.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 5,910 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 4,786 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 4,501 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 3,358 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 2,573 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 1,989 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,884 |
| 2 | Washers | 2,755 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,706 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,314 |
| 5 | Joints | 2,134 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,801 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.7% | 19,053 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.2% | 13,232 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.6% | 9,181 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.1% | 6,140 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 4,666 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 4,079 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,257 | 13.7% |
| 30-60k | 9,135 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 16,799 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 13,117 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,845 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,640 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 34,626 | 24.5% |
| Diesel | 12,217 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,547 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 10,083 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 9,491 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 8,767 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 7,955 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 A-Class
Before buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 46,843 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 2008 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,843 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.