IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2002–2003 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 2002–2003 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168). 2 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

3
Known Issues
2
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

The 2002–2003 period has 3 more issues than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168) average across all year periods.

All Known Issues

Rear axle and floor corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Older W168s can corrode around the rear axle mounts and floor seams badly.

Estimated cost: £400–£1,500+Affects: 1998–2005Often appears around: Age-related

Typical symptoms

  • •Corrosion advisories
  • •Crunchy jacking points

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Rear axle mount areas
  • ✓Inner sills and floor seams

CVT / Sequentronic gearbox failure

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

The CVT and semi-automatic Sequentronic gearboxes can suffer from wear to the variator, clutch packs and mechatronic units. Repairs are often uneconomical on higher-mileage cars.

Most affected: A 140 CVT, A 160 CVT, A 190 Sequentronic

Estimated cost: £800–£2,500Affects: 1998–2005Often appears around: 60,000–100,000 miles

Typical symptoms

  • •Whining noise from gearbox
  • •Judder when pulling away
  • •Car goes into limp mode

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Smooth pull-away from standstill
  • ✓Full gearbox service history
  • ✓Check for whining under load

Water ingress and electrical faults

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

Blocked sunroof drains and degraded door seals allow water into the cabin, which can corrode underfloor electronics and wiring connectors, causing random warning lights and intermittent faults.

Estimated cost: £100–£600Affects: 1998–2005Often appears around: Age-related

Typical symptoms

  • •Damp carpet in footwells
  • •Random dashboard warning lights
  • •Intermittent electrical gremlins

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Check footwells and spare wheel well for damp
  • ✓Operate all electric windows and mirrors
  • ✓Inspect door and sunroof seals

Buying Tips for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)

  • ✓Inspect the semi-automatic gearbox (if fitted) closely; jerky shifts or 'F' displayed on the dash usually means an expensive ECU failure.
  • ✓Check the rear trailing arm bearings for excessive play; clunking over bumps means they are worn, and replacement requires a specialized press tool.
  • ✓Look carefully for rust around the wheel arches, door bottoms, and sills, as early Mercedes rustproofing was notoriously poor.
  • ✓Test the power steering, as the electric pump is prone to failure and incredibly difficult to access due to the sandwich floor design.
  • ✓Ensure the massive louvred fabric sunroof (if optioned) opens and closes smoothly without leaking, as replacement parts are almost impossible to find.
  • ✓Listen for snapped coil springs, a very common issue on UK roads; check the ride height to ensure the car sits level on all four corners.
2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)2004 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)

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Other Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168) Year Periods

19981999200020012002–200320042005

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