Mercedes A160 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes A160 car check
Is the Mercedes A160 reliable? We analysed 4,209 real MOT tests across 283 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes A160? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes A160 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working and headlamp not working on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes A160.
Mercedes A160 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes A160. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes A160 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes A160 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes A160 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes A160 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes A160 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes A160 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes A160 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes A160 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes A160 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes A160 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 904 | 81.4% | 27,136 | 41,382 | 62,195 |
| 2011 | 779 | 81.6% | 28,198 | 41,852 | 62,864 |
| 2010 | 1,102 | 80.4% | 30,141 | 49,370 | 72,753 |
| 2009 | 491 | 80.4% | 32,868 | 50,787 | 77,184 |
| 2008 | 65 | 78.5% | 62,401 | 76,228 | 91,574 |
| 2007 | 58 | 77.6% | 43,892 | 74,032 | 102,930 |
| 2005 | 96 | 64.6% | 43,709 | 60,572 | 76,320 |
| 2002 | 137 | 68.6% | 49,935 | 67,926 | 84,892 |
| 2001 | 75 | 69.3% | 46,773 | 59,847 | 91,373 |
| 2000 | 157 | 73.9% | 44,445 | 58,441 | 78,223 |
| 1999 | 260 | 68.5% | 52,954 | 75,864 | 97,790 |
How Long Does a Mercedes A160 Last?
Based on 283 Mercedes A160 vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes A160 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes A160 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes A160
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.6% MOT pass rate from 779 tests
64.6% MOT pass rate from 96 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes A160 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.6% across 779 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes A160 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes A160 THIS CAR | 78.7% | 4,209 | 50,082 mi | 27 yrs |
| Mercedes Motorhome | 76.7% | 14,848 | 66,873 mi | 45 yrs |
| Mercedes Unknown | 79.2% | 11,881 | 102,484 mi | 39 yrs |
| Mercedes Camper | 74.6% | 8,342 | 82,260 mi | 47 yrs |
| Mini Countryman Cooper Sd ALL4 Auto | 83.3% | 3,357 | 59,658 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes Motorhome (76.7% pass rate) and the Mercedes Unknown (79.2% pass rate), the Mercedes A160 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes A160 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes A160Should you buy a used Mercedes A160?
The Mercedes A160 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.7% across 4,209 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes A160 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (52 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (34), and headlamp not working on dipped beam (24). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes A160 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes A160 owner drives around 4,315 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mercedes A160 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.