Common problems by part
Mercedes-Benz GLA body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 56,883 MOT tests · Updated
At 6 years, 1.7 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz GLA failed on body and structure, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 56,883 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 974 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 9 ages from 3 to 11 years, 329,115 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Driveshaft CV boot split, 1.6 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
1.7 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
Mercedes-Benz GLA body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 41,211 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 51,974 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 5 | 55,338 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| 6 | 56,883 | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 48,993 | 2.5 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 35,895 | 2.3 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 23,022 | 1.4 | 2.3 |
| 10 | 12,337 | 1.5 | 2.9 |
| 11 | 3,462 | 0.6 | 3.5 |
All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 6 years
Fails
- Driveshaft CV boot split: 1.6 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.4. Replace CV joint boot: estimated £88–£196 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 0.6 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.1 diesel: 1.5 per 100 at 6 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 28,261 MOT tests)
- 1.6 petrol: 2.1 per 100 at 6 years, fails 2.7–3.2× as often as petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 25,558 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one Mercedes-Benz GLA, not the average
The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz GLA cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Mercedes-Benz GLA's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Mercedes-Benz GLA problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA suspension problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA brakes problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA lights and electrics problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA steering problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA seat belts and airbags problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA tyres problems
- Mercedes-Benz GLA road wheels problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Hyundai Tucson body and structure problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 1.7 for the Mercedes-Benz GLA (97,247 MOT tests)
- Peugeot 3008 body and structure problems: 3.1 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 1.7 for the Mercedes-Benz GLA (61,018 MOT tests)
- Vauxhall Grandland body and structure problems: 1.8 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 1.7 for the Mercedes-Benz GLA (38,826 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLA have more body and structure problems than other cars?
1.7 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 56,883 MOT tests).
How common are Mercedes-Benz GLA body and structure problems?
1.7 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on body and structure, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 56,883 MOT tests).
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz GLA body and structure fail?
1.6 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years: Driveshaft CV boot split (882 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 329,115 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare