A Venture into Reliable Used Cars: The Mercedes A-Class - Trust Worthy Quality Assurance
Reliability Attested by Tüv: Mercedes A-Class Endorsed as a Symbol of Quality
Dive into the world of reliable used cars with the Mercedes A-Class, where your investment won't lead to hefty repair bills. It's seldom a steal, but it maintains its value well. In essence, it's no hidden gem, but it delivers a lasting value that sets it apart from other used vehicles.
The A-Class, once a car with a retirement-like image, has evolved into a stylish compact premium car. Despite this transformation, the "Auto Bild TÜV Report 2025" recognizes its unwavering reliability, labeling it a trustworthy quality guarantee for decades.
Apart from its strong technical foundation, the A-Class's reputation for reliability can also be attributed to its owners' meticulous maintenance. However, every Mercedes, even the smallest one, has its weak spots, and used cars are rarely cheap.
Understanding the A-Class Game: Five Tips for Savvy Used Car Buyers
The third generation of the A-Class, introduced in 2012, received a facelift in 2015. The exterior design was updated, and the models equipped with more powerful engines got a variable suspension. Additionally, assistance systems improved, and LED headlights became standard. The current, fourth-generation A-Class debuted in 2018 and underwent a facelift in the fall of 2022, featuring enhancements to the infotainment system, a more accurate lane-keeping assistant, and an updated parking assistant capable of parallel and perpendicular parking.
The Mercedes A-Class - Quality Guaranteed: A Comprehensive Check for Used Car Shoppers
Step into the world of the Mercedes GLC, the best-selling model with a largely fault-free history. This compact car comes with a distinctive design, featuring two powerdomes on the hood that stand as a challenge to competitors like the BMW 1 Series, Opel Astra, and VW Golf.
Body and Variants: A Look into the A-Class Evolution
While its predecessor was a minivan, the A-Class has been a sleek compact car since 2012, available in both five- and three-door variants. The introduction of plug-in hybrid powertrains occurred during the 2018 redesign.
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Many body variants such as the sedan (CLA), station wagon (CLA Shooting Brake), and SUV (GLA) were introduced during the predecessor's era and all utilize the modular front-wheel-drive architecture (MFA) of the company. Only the current A-Class comes with an AMG powertrain; the previous generation had to make do with the sporty AMG Sport and AMG Line trim levels.
Dimensions: Unveiling the A-Class Compact Model
The third-generation A-Class, introduced in 2012, has dimensions of around 4.29–4.30 meters in length, 1.78 meters in width, and 1.42–1.43 meters in height, with a trunk volume of 341 to 1157 liters. The current fourth-generation A-Class, launched in 2018, measures 4.42 meters in length, 1.80 meters in width, and 1.44 meters in height, with a trunk volume of 355 to 1195 liters.
Strengths: High Praise for the A-Class from HU
The A-Class receives high praise from the inspection authorities, with the report lauding its "robust construction," particularly the drive shafts and steering. The lighting department shows no issues, oil loss is not recurring, and the exhaust gas test (AU) is not an obstacle.
The Achilles' Heels: Weaknesses of the A-Class
The brake lines are a certain issue for the third-generation A-Class from 2012, with worn brake lines a common issue. Brake discs also show wear, but the complaint rates are not exceptionally high. On the flip side, the current model, while trouble-free overall, has "twice as many defects in the parking brake as all MOT candidates," according to the report.
Behavior in Breakdowns: Assessing the A-Class's Reliability
The ADAC reports reveal that the A-Class generally shows "mostly good reliability," with occasional stumbles. The primary culprits are the starter in cars with first registration in 2012, as well as the starter battery in models from 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Engines: Powering the A-Class
The third-generation A-Class offers a range of petrol engines (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 75 kW/102 PS to 280 kW/381 PS, as well as diesel engines (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 66 kW/90 PS to 130 kW/177 PS. The current, fourth-generation A-Class offers petrol engines (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 80 kW/109 PS to 310 kW/421 PS, diesel engines (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive) from 70 kW/95 PS to 140 kW/190 PS, and plug-in hybrid options (four-cylinder + electric motor with front-wheel drive) with 160 kW/218 PS (system power).
Dealer Resale Value: The Economic Side of Owning an A-Class
According to the German Automobile Trust (DAT), the A 200 d 4Matic (6/2016) with 100 kW/136 PS, 142,000 kilometers, and a price of 15,276 euros; the A 250 Style 4Matic (6/2020) with 165 kW/224 PS, 58,000 kilometers, and a price of 26,453 euros; and the A 160 (6/2018) with 80 kW/109 PS, 79,000 kilometers, and a price of 15,457 euros, serve as good examples of the expected resale value for used A-Class models.
Sources: ntv.de, abe/dpa
- Used Cars
- TÜV
- Mercedes Models
- ADAC
- If you're interested in improving your lifestyle, consider the reliability of the Mercedes A-Class, a used car that offers trustworthy quality assurance, both in terms of its technical foundation and the meticulous maintenance by its owners.
- While shopping for home-and-garden items or perusing through the latest trends in lifestyle magazines, you might also stumble upon information about the Mercedes A-Class, a car that can fit seamlessly into your life, given its home in a stable vehicle market, among other home-and-garden appliances and lifestyle gadgets. Plus, with its variety of motor vehicle options, you can choose the perfect A-Class model to complement your household.
