While the first two A-Class generations were ultra-short, variable high seats, the third brought a style change towards the conventional compact from 2012. The latter in particular rarely fails at the TÜV appointment. The most important information for used car buyers from the AUTO BILD TÜV report!
Mercedes A-Class (W 176) / GLA / CLA
Construction time: 2012 to 2018 Engines: 90 PS (160 CDI) to 381 PS (45 AMG) Price: from 11,200 euros Occupant safety (Euro NCAP crash test 2012): 5 Stars
The third generation of the A-Class came onto the market in 2012. In 2015 there was a facelift.
That’s him: The third series of the A class brought a violent style change – no more back-friendly high seat concept, just get away from the image of a pensioner, that was obviously the motto. The first conventional transverse engine compact from Mercedes was aimed at the Golf and BMW 1 series. the Mercedes-Designers sacrificed clarity (especially to the rear) and variability. However, the sales success proved the makers right. If you want to sit higher, you can choose the higher derivative B-Class or the SUV-like, technically closely related GLA. For this A class-Derivatives back then the customer had to pay more money, but that could only please the manufacturer.
Mercedes A-Class in the AUTO BILD used car market
He can do that: Give the dynamic. Bad tongues speak of the best 1 series BMW, the Mercedes has ever built. Only: This one is comfortable Benz unfortunately not at all, not variable either, certainly not at all clearly. In the early years of its youth, the W176 sacrificed the old Mercedes virtue of fine suspension comfort, which only got better with the 2015 facelift. If you want to sit high, drive with four people or have a variable, spacious interior, it is really better to use it B class. In terms of quality, however, the W176 made a leap forward: The door edge rust, an obvious problem area of the predecessor, is a thing of the past.
That causes trouble: Overall, very little. We know this from our own experience: In the AUTO BILD long-term test fleet there is an A180 of the W176 series from 2013 as an extreme endurance runner, which now has 368,000 kilometers on the clock. Recently there was a spring break at the rear – we approve of it after this mileage, as well as the gradually diminishing upholstery of the driver’s seat. Otherwise there was no trouble and no unscheduled workshop visits – nothing. And the shiftability of the manual transmission is still not a cause for criticism. A leak on the clutch-side crankshaft sealing ring turned out to be the result of an improper repair. The few noteworthy sources of annoyance include rattling noises on the panoramic roof, which is subject to a surcharge (even with the first A class a weak point), the wobbly mounts of the Mercedes-Unworthy cheap trunk cover, and the bi-xenon headlights, which are also optional, can fog up. There have been a few recalls over time: Airbags (2011-2017), vacuum line, brake booster, starting current limiter. In the case of the diesels of the OM651 series, they affected the timing chain tensioners (February to November 2014). The camshafts only had to be replaced on the petrol engines of the M270 engine series.
Mercedes A-Class (type W 169)
Construction time: 2004 to 2012 Engines: 82 PS (160 CDI) to 193 PS (200 Turbo) Price: from 950 euros Occupant safety (Euro NCAP crash test 2005): 5 Stars
The second generation: like its predecessor, with a sandwich construction and a high seating position.
That’s him: Larger and 31 cm longer, but just as ingenious as the first edition from 1997, which is actually the Mercedes-Customers should rejuvenate – and then, not least, was bought by senior citizens. This also applies to the second series W169. And for a good reason: The amount of space, suspension comfort and driving stability are convincing. The second was also in terms of the choice of materials and workmanship A classGeneration represents a step forward compared to the first series. What has remained is the sandwich construction with a double floor, a high seating position and a completely flat vehicle floor. Until 2010 there was also a three-door in addition to the five-door.
He can do that: Offering its occupants good all-round visibility during a comfortable journey and easy entry – this is one of the reasons why this model was purchased. The variability is also outstanding: Thanks to the level floor and the removable seats (an extra charge in the case of the front passenger seat), the five-seater can be turned into a van if required. A useful compromise between performance and consumption is the A180 CDI diesel with 109 hp.
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That causes trouble:Rust is rarely found on load-bearing parts, but often on the lower edges of the door and the tailgate due to the lack of proper seam sealing – not TÜV-relevant, but expensive. The continuously variable automatic transmission, which tends to fail, is also not recommended. Trouble can also lurk with CDI diesels: leaky injectors and water pumps cause failures. Gasoline engines tend to be more reliable.
TÜV judgment
landing gear Not a real weak point of the A class, neither the second nor the third generation. The axle suspensions are solid in both generations, as is the steering and its joints. Only the axle springs and damping of the W169 show increasing values, but remain below the average. In eleven-year-old specimens, the drive shafts occasionally weaken; they are criticized more often than on average. Both series practically do not have any safety-relevant rust attack.
light The W176 reveals light deficiencies only to a below average extent, with the predecessor W169 you have to take a closer look due to age. In nine-year-olds, the TÜV criticizes the dipped beam a little more than the average, and with eleven-year-olds, the front lighting in general. Turn signals and hazard warning lights are criticized more than average from the age of nine.
Brakes for A class Number three, a rather average result with no real flaws. Both models have durable brake pads in common. If there is trouble, however, it is with the W169: After 11 years, the brake lines are complained about 2.5 times as often as the average. His parking brakes also weaken more than average from a vehicle age of nine years.
environment No significant weak point in either generation. Loss of oil does not bother them any more than the exhaust system. At the AU, too, both cut A class-Series perform better than average.
