How Long Do Mercedes A-Class Last? (12 Important Facts)

The A-Class debuted in North America in 2018 but it’s been on sale in other parts of the world since 1997.

Despite being Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level vehicle it still comes packed with luxury features and a space ship like interior.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the average lifespan of an A-Class.

Here is the short answer to how long the Mercedes A-Class lasts:

The Mercedes A-Class is a durable car that can last between 200,000 – 250,000 miles when routinely serviced and driven sensibly. If you were to drive 15,000 miles per year, you can expect an A-Class to last 13 – 17 years before requiring uneconomical repairs.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Mercedes A-Class?

The Mercedes A-Class has only been in America and Canada for a few years and in this respect, it’s still fairly new.

However, in Europe this car has been around this the late ’90s and it has proven itself to withstand the test of time.

In this part of the world, you’ll find A-Class cars that have lasted a really long time some have even tipped the 300k mark.

A conservative estimate will see a Mercedes-Benze A-Class lasting 200,000 – 250,000 miles on average before most owners will look for an upgrade.

That’s not to say you can’t make it last longer if you keep repairing it, but the truth is once a car gets past a certain age repairs costs can outweigh the value of the vehicle.

What’s also important to keep in mind is that the longevity of your A-Class is largely dependent on how well it’s been looked after.

Conservative driving habits and regular maintenance can add thousands of available miles to the odometer.

Do Mercedes A-Class Rust Easily?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class does not rust easily. German luxury brands such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes are some of the market leaders when it comes to rust-protection and quality paintwork.

This coupled with the advances in rustproofing in recent years means your A-Class Mercedes will be far less likely to develop rust than a cheaper alternative from an everyday brand like Ford or Chevy.

That’s not to say Mercedes cars are immune from rust, however if you wash your car regularly and keep it stored in a garage and wax it twice a year – then rust shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

  • You should always wash the underside of the vehicle too, especially after driving in mud, snow or roads covered in salt.
  • Stone chips can damage the paintwork which can give a point of attack for rust, if you get any scratches have them touch-up immediately by your dealer.

What is High Mileage for a Mercedes A Class?

A Mercedes A-Class with over 100,000 miles is considered high mileage, the vehicle will have lost notable value by this point and have acquired some degree of wear and tear on various components.

Purchasing a high mileage Mercedes A-Class won’t necessarily lead to a sour outcome, ultimately it depends on the condition of the car.

A well-maintained Mercedes A-Class with over 100,000 miles can even be a better option than one with 100,000 miles that had many owners and led a tough life or was previously a rental car

If you’re buying a used Mercedes A-Class, consider the following:

  1. Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide proof of this.
  2. Get a second opinion. Take it to an independent auto repair shop or have it inspected by a Mercedes technician.
  3. Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually equate to more wear-and-tear. If one family owned it and drove the full mileage and serviced the car, then you can almost guarantee they took good care of it throughout their ownership.
  4. How long you are planning on keeping the car. If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending extra on something more reliable.
  5. Examine the interior. The condition of the interior tells the story of how well the car was maintained and cared for. .
  6. Check the car’s VIN and get a full history report. Was it a taxi or rental car? Recalls? How many owners? Real mileage? Stolen? Any accidents? If you’re buying a used Mercedes, always check the VIN – you never know what the car has been through.

How Long Does the Mercedes A Class Last Compared to Similar Cars?

In this section, we’ll compare the A-Class to some of its closest competitors.

Mercedes A Class vs. BMW 3 Series

The 3 Series is a luxury sports sedan that oozes class, style and performance.

The BMW 3 Series can last 200,000 – 250,000 miles on average or 13 – 17 years, equal to what is expected of the Mercedes A Class. 

Mercedes A ClassBMW 3 Series
RepairPal Reliability RatingNA3.0/5.0
RepairPal Reliability Ranking NA
Luxury Compact Cars
19th / 31
Luxury Midsize Cars
Average Annual Repair Cost $1,049$773
Kelley Blue Book Reliability Score4.0/5.04.5/5.0
JD Power Quality & Reliability ScoreNot rated79/100

The Mercedes A-Class is the smaller of the two vehicles and so if you need more interior space (including the trunk) the BMW will make more sense.

Both vehicles will offer the comfort and refinement you can expect of a luxury German car, however the A-Class is notably cheaper – so if you’re on a tight budget it will be the better option.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Does BMW 3 Series Last?

Mercedes A Class vs. Honda Civic

The Civic is one of the best-selling compact cars in the world, known for its practicality and sporty ride.

The Honda Civic can last 250,000 – 300,000 miles or 17 – 20 years, greater than what is expected of the Mercedes A-Class.

Mercedes A ClassHonda Civic
RepairPal Reliability RatingNA4.5/5.0
RepairPal Reliability Ranking NA
Luxury Compact Cars
3rd / 36
Compact Cars
Average Annual Repair Cost $1,049$368
Kelley Blue Book Reliability Score4.0/5.05.0/5.0
JD Power Quality & Reliability ScoreNot rated82/100

Japanese-made cars are synonymous with reliability and the Honda Civic has played a big role in supporting this stereotype.

These cars will go on seemingly forever, but they can’t match Mercedes when it comes to luxury features, technology and style.

If you’re looking for a luxury hauler, the A-Class is the top choice.

Mercedes A Class vs. Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a luxury midsize car that was launched in the US in ’96.

The Audi A4 can last 150,000 – 200,000 miles or 10 – 13 years, slightly less than what is expected of the Mercedes A-Class. 

Mercedes A-ClassAudi A4
RepairPal Reliability RatingNA3.5/5.0
RepairPal Reliability Ranking NA
Luxury Compact Cars
14th / 31
Luxury Midsize Cars
Average Annual Repair Cost $1,049$739
Kelley Blue Book Reliability Score4.0/5.04.6/5.0
JD Power Quality & Reliability ScoreNot rated74/100

The Audi A4 sits halfway up Repair Pals reliability charts however most people opt for these cars for the status that comes with owning one and the overall upscale feel – not to mention the impressive performance.

The A-Class is the slightly smaller of the two cars and as a general rule Mercedes engines tend to last longer than Audi ones.

Comparison Chart

Mercedes A-ClassBMW 3 SeriesHonda CivicAudi A4
Annual Repair Cost$1,049$773$368$739
Reliability RatingNA3.0/5.04.5/5.03.5/5.0
KBB Consumer Rating4.0/5.04.5/5.05.0/5.04.6/5.0
J.D. Power RatingNot rated79/10082/10074/100
Lifespan (miles)200k-250k200k – 250k250k – 300k150k – 200k

Is the Mercedes A-Class Reliable?

The Mercedes A-Class has only been out in the United States for a few years so there’s not a huge amount of data to go by. However, we expect it to have average reliability based on Mercedes track record and similar models in their lineup.

Mercedes cars aren’t really well known for reliability – that’s not to say they break down all the time.

However, they come with so many fancy features and tech goodies that this raises the probability of a fault occurring.

Consumer Reports had this to say about Mercedes: “Overall, the company’s reliability ranks in the lower third of all brands.”

On the Kelley Blue Book website, customer feedback is promising and the A-Class has scored a respectable reliability score of 4/5 based on 11 reviews.

As with longevity, the reliability of your Mercedes A-Class will also depend on keeping up to date with the service schedule and adopting good driving habits.

Reliability Compared to Other Compact Luxury Cars

ModelReliability 
Lexus CT200h4.5 / 5.0
Acura ILX4.5 / 5.0
Volvo S403.5 / 5.0
Audi A33.5 / 5.0
Cadillac ATS3.5 / 5.0
Volvo C303.5 / 5.0
Mercedes-Benz CLA2503.5 / 5.0
Lexus HS250h3.5 / 5.0
Volvo C703.5 / 5.0
Mercedes-Benz A-Class3.0 / 5.0
Mercedes-Benz SLK3503.0 / 5.0
Audi TT Quattro3.0 / 5.0
Audi A3 Quattro3.0 / 5.0
BMW 128i3.0 / 5.0
BMW Z43.0 / 5.0
Porsche Boxster 2.5 / 5.0
Porsche Cayman2.0 / 5.0
BMW 135i2.0 / 5.0
Avg. Luxury Compact Car3.5 / 5.0

Mercedes A-Class Reliability is predicted, all data is from Repair Pal.

The Best and Worst Years for the Mercedes A-Class

The Mercedes A-Class has only been out a few years in the US however the 2019 model is the worst and the latest model is the best, that’s the 2022 model.

There’s not a huge amount of data on this but after analyzing hundreds of vehicles a common trend we tend to see is that the first models are usually the most problematic.

This is the first time the product will hit the masses and it’s when problems that went undetected during production, become apparent.

This 2019 model has had significantly more recalls than its predecessors too, which supports this theory.

The newer models will also benefit from all the latest features and upgrades.

Having said that the only change for the 2022 A-Class is an optional Premium package that now includes SiriusXM satellite radio.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Mercedes A-Class has had a total of 14 recall campaigns since its redesign in 2019.

You can check if your Mercedes A-Class has been subjected to a recall by entering your Vehicle Identification Number on the recall page on the Mercedes website.

It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge for the consumer.

Here is the total number of recall campaigns for every model year of the Mercedes A-Class:

  • 2022 Mercedes A-Class: NA
  • 2021 Mercedes A-Class: 2
  • 2020 Mercedes A-Class: 4
  • 2019 Mercedes A-Class: 8

Mercedes A-Class Model Year List

First Generation (1997 – 2004)

  • 1997 Mercedes A-Class
  • 1998 Mercedes A-Class
  • 1999 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2000 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2001 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2002 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2003 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2004 Mercedes A-Class

Second Generation (2005 – 2012)

  • 2005 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2006 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2007 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2008 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2009 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2010 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2011 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2012 Mercedes A-Class

Third Generation (2013 – 2017)

  • 2013 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2014 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2015 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2016 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2017 Mercedes A-Class

Fourth Generation (2018)

  • 2018 Mercedes A-Class

Fifth Generation (2019 – 2022)

US Debut

  • 2019 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2020 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2021 Mercedes A-Class
  • 2022 Mercedes A-Class

Are Mercedes A-Class Expensive to Maintain?

The Mercedes A-Class will be slightly expensive to maintain simply because it is a luxury car which means parts are more expensive, and as reliability isn’t as high with Mercedes compared to other manufacturers they will be more prone to repairs.

A Mercedes C-300 costs $739 a year in maintenance according to Repair Pal and we expect the A-Class to cost a similar ammount.

According to RepairPal, a Mercedes vehicle will cost an average of $1,049 per year in repairs and maintenance.

This is higher than the average of $801 for other luxury compact cars and the average for all vehicles in different segments, which is estimated at $652.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Mercedes C300 Last?

ModelAvg. Annual 
Repair Cost
Frequency of
Unscheduled
Repairs (per year)
Probability of
Severe Repairs
Lexus CT200h$3860.45%
Acura ILX$4350.36%
Volvo S40$6930.59%
Audi A3$7410.59%
Cadillac ATS$7410.312%
Volvo C30$7200.89%
Mercedes-Benz CLA250$7360.98%
Lexus HS250h$3610.915%
Volvo C70$8180.710%
Mercedes-Benz A-ClassTBCTBCTBC
Mercedes-Benz SLK350$8080.614%
Audi TT Quattro$9240.515%
Audi A3 Quattro$8241.58%
BMW 128i$8011.211%
BMW Z4$8940.716%
Porsche Boxster $9520.617%
Porsche Cayman$1,1350.719%
BMW 135i$1,0311.218%
Avg. Luxury Compact Car$8010.711%

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Mercedes A-Class brake pads will usually last between 30,000 and 60,000 miles or 2 – 4 years. This can vary widely and depends mostly on your style of driving and traffic conditions.

  • You can expect your brakes to wear out sooner if you frequently drive in stop-and-go rush-hour traffic
  • Full and complete stops from a high speed are the main cause of premature brake pad wear.
  • Smoothe controlled use of the brake pedal will help you get the most life from your brake pads.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The Mercedes A-Class tires should last approximately 3 years or 45,000 miles. However, they can wear out much sooner or they may last much longer. This depends on various factors, such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.

  • Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
  • Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
  • Have a mechanic or tire shop check your wheel alignment every 6 months.

How Long Do Mercedes A-Class Engines Last?

The Mercedes A-Class comes with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine which should last at least 250,000 miles if it’s properly maintained as per the owner’s manual.

The engine could well go on to outlive the vehicle itself however the importance of routine maintenance really can’t be stressed enough.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Audi A3 Last?

How Long Do Mercedes A-Class Batteries Last?

The Mercedes A-Class battery should last between 3 – 5 years. A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

  1. Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your car can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
  2. Limit short rides: Quick car rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
  3. Storage: Keep your Mercedes A-Class stored indoors to protect it from extreme temperature changes.
  4. Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Mercedes A-Class iridium spark plugs should be changed every 100,000 miles although they may last much longer. Spark plugs are usually inspected every time you take your car in for a tune-up.

Signs of a fouled spark plug include:

  • Reduced gas mileage
  • Lack of acceleration
  • Rough idling
  • Hard starts
  • Engine misfires

What About Insurance Costs?

The average cost of full comprehensive coverage for a Mercedes A-Class is $1,454 per year or around $121 per month. 

Insurance costs can vary from person to person; be sure to shop around to find the best potential deal for your Mercedes A-Class.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Mercedes A-Class

  • Adopt smooth driving habits.
  • Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
  • Use quality parts and fluids.
  • Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
  • Regularly wash your Mercedes A-Class to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust developing.
  • Check your Mercedes A-Class’s engine oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid levels and top them up when required.
  • Keep your Mercedes A-Class stored in a garage to help protect it from the elements.
  • Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Mercedes A-Class needs and what quantity, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.

Related: Are Mercedes Benz Worth the Money?

Resources

  1. https://caredge.com/mercedes-benz/A-Class/maintenance
  2. https://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/A-Class/ 
  3. https://www.cars.com/research/mercedes_benz-a_class-2019/recalls/ 
  4. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Mercedes-Benz/  
  5. https://www.mboftampabay.com/mercedes-benz-brake-pads.htm 
  6. https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/mercedes-benz/ 
  7. https://insuraviz.com/luxury-car-insurance-rate-comparisons/  
  8. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mercedes-benz/A-Class/ 
  9. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mercedes-benz/
  10. https://www.mbusa.com/en/recall

Author:

  • Ian Sawyer

    Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...