Used Mercedes A-Class 2018-present reliability
Category: Family car
The A-Class is a classy, highly desirable and good-to-drive family hatch.
What should I look for in a used Mercedes A Class hatchback?
The A-Class is quite long for a family car and the seating position is low, with awkward visibility out of the rear. With that in mind, check the extremities of the car carefully for any dents or dings. Also, check the alloy wheels for any kerb damage. Make sure the rear seats fold as they should and that the tailgate opens and shuts properly. It’s worth checking any electrical equipment on board as well to make sure it all works.
What are the most common problems with a used Mercedes A Class hatchback?
Seat height adjustment
A faulty weld on the seat height adjuster for the front left seat could fail on examples manufactured between 16 October and 30 November 2018. Affected cars will need to have the tilt adjuster replaced at a Mercedes dealership to sort the issue.
Airbag
A small number of A-Class' built between 1 June and 30 August 2018 may have an issue with a perforated seam in the dashboard that could damage the airbag in the event of it being deployed. Find out if your car is affected because it'll need to be checked by a technician, and if it is, have the dashboard replaced.
Brake hose leak
A problem with the length of the shock absorbers in the suspension system at the rear could put the brake hoses at the back under too much tension, with the potential for them to be damaged and ultimately leak brake fluid. The applies to cars built from 1 March to 30 November 2018 and will need to be inspected at a Mercedes dealership and have the brake hoses replaced, if necessary.
Protective plating under the spare wheel well
The plating under the spare wheel well of some vehicles made from 1 January to 31 July 2018 could tear and will need to be replaced on affected vehicles.
Sliding glass roof
The glass panel of the sliding roof may not have been bonded to the frame correctly at the factory. It affects only a small number of cars built on 13 October 2018, but if yours is one of those affected, it'll need to have the whole sliding roof mechanism replaced.
Emergency call system
A problem with the software for the emergency call system on some A-Class' constructed from 1 January to 30 April 2018 means it'll need to be reprogrammed at a dealer. Find out from your Mercedes dealer if this applies to your car.
Engine crankshaft
The crankshaft in some cars built between 1 February and 31 March 2019 could have surface damage that would limit the longevity of the engine. If your A-Class is affected by this recall, it'll need to have the engine replaced.
Starter wiring harness
The wiring for the starter may need to be inspected by a technician if your vehicle was manufactured between 1 April and 30 June 2018 because it may not have been installed correctly at the factory.
Driver's airbag
Some of the bolts securing the driver's airbag in place might be missing on early examples built from 1 August and 31 December 2018. Speak to your local Mercedes dealer to find out if your A-Class is one of those affected by this recall.
Gas generator
A problem with the mounting of the lines for the argon gas system fitted to some A-Class' made between 6-10 May 2019. This will need to be inspected by a technician, so contact your local Mercedes dealer for further information.
Is a used Mercedes A Class hatchback reliable?
Unfortunately, Mercedes as a brand didn’t do particularly well in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, ranking 23rd out of 32 manufacturers.
This version of the A-Class did very well in the family car category this year. In a class of 29, the petrol-engined cars came in 15th place with a score of 91% while the petrol-electri hybrid model finished in second place with a score of 98.7%.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
Used Mercedes A-Class: owners' reliability data
As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said that the Mercedes A-Class has had a mixed record regarding reliability and dealer service. Owners of both petrol and diesel models reported several common issues. Electrical problems were frequently mentioned, including faulty sensors, malfunctioning infotainment systems, and persistent warning lights. Some diesel owners experienced issues with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), leading to costly repairs. A few readers also highlighted concerns with the automatic transmission, noting jerky shifts and occasional failures.
However, our 2024 survey has so far revealed good feedback on both the petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models (diesels were not included), with both versions finishing high up in the family car class (see results above).
Experiences with Mercedes dealerships varied widely. While some owners praised the efficient and courteous service they received, others expressed frustration over long wait times, high repair costs, and inconsistent communication.
Several readers mentioned that issues often required multiple visits to fully resolve, which impacted their overall satisfaction.
