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MERCEDES GLA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,617 MOT tests from 398 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MERCEDES GLA has the same fault.

MERCEDES GLA's have a extremely good reliability rating of 779/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MERCEDES GLA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

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Check a Mercedes Gla before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2019883/999Excellent97,334 miles3,105 vehicles
Petrol2018826/999Excellent92,316 miles1,420 vehicles
Diesel2018785/999Very good77,681 miles5,590 vehicles
Diesel2017761/999Very good77,382 miles7,024 vehicles
Petrol2016810/999Excellent97,581 miles1,283 vehicles
Diesel2016735/999Very good82,607 miles5,324 vehicles
Diesel2015719/999Very good87,622 miles2,900 vehicles
Diesel2014714/999Very good103,827 miles833 vehicles

How reliable is the MERCEDES GLA?

Based on 2,617 MOT tests from 398 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

398

MOT tests

2,617

Pass rate

87.1%

Median mileage

66,292 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MERCEDES GLA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 806 out of 999.

Common MERCEDES GLA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 636 advisory comments and 50 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 186 advisory comments and 21 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 116 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 29 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

MERCEDES GLA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2026110—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025100—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
202490—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20231111100%Tyre wear
202281794.1%Tyre wear
2021196393.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20202410892.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20194826687.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20187550287.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20175241686.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20165248385.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20154746585.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20142628687.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used MERCEDES GLA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a MERCEDES GLA?

Common problems tell you what can affect MERCEDES GLAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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