2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.5L Diesel · DF17 LBA

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class was conducted on 1 October 2025, where the vehicle was issued a Pass alongside advisories concerning front brake pad wear and an illuminated glow plug warning lamp. A further entry on the same date recorded a Fail due to insufficient front windscreen washer fluid, classified as a PRS (Pass after Rectification at Station), meaning the issue was corrected before the test was completed. The preceding tests in 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 returned clean passes with no advisories, but the 2024 test introduced concerns regarding both front tyres being worn close to the legal limit on their inner edges, and a recurring glow plug light advisory. The trajectory over the past three tests suggests a mildly worsening maintenance profile, with multiple advisories now appearing that were not present in earlier years. While none of the defects have yet resulted in a failure, the recurrence of the glow plug warning and the progressive front-end wear warrant close attention. The recorded mileage of 49,647 miles across approximately nine years equates to an annual average of around 5,500 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and points to either predominantly short urban trips or extended periods of standing between uses. The MOT history reflects a sparse testing pattern consistent with low-mileage operation, with gaps such as the absence of a 2019 test, and a 2020 entry issued under the COVID-19 six-month extension scheme. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature can be a double-edged sword; while the engine, clutch, and drivetrain have experienced limited wear, prolonged standing can accelerate deterioration of rubber components, encourage corrosion on brake discs and calipers, and degrade fluids and the 12V battery through lack of regular cycling. The relatively even spread of mileage increments across the MOT records suggests the vehicle has been used consistently, albeit sparingly, rather than having covered long motorway journeys in short periods. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the recurring glow plug warning lamp advisory, which has now appeared across two consecutive MOT tests. On a Mercedes-Benz diesel of this era, an illuminated glow plug light may indicate a faulty glow plug relay, a failing temperature sensor, or an issue within the emissions system, and a diagnostic read using Mercedes-specific tooling such as STAR Diagnostics would be advisable to extract any stored fault codes. On a test drive, listen for any rough cold starting, irregular idle, or a slight delay before the engine settles into a smooth tick-over, and observe whether the light extinguishes promptly once the engine is warm. Additionally, the front brake pads were noted as wearing thin at the 2025 test; while not yet a failure point, pads at this stage are likely to require replacement within the next 5,000 to 8,000 miles, and an inspection of the front brake discs for lipping, hot spots, or corrosion ridges is prudent. The previous advisories regarding inner-edge tyre wear may also suggest a tracking or suspension geometry issue, so a check of the front suspension components, including wishbone bushes, drop links, and strut top mounts, is recommended. Given the low annual mileage and the vehicle's age, several age-related inspections are strongly advisable even though they may not form part of the MOT examination. Tyre sidewalls should be examined carefully for perishing and cracking, as low-use tyres can degrade through age rather than wear, and any sidewall damage should prompt immediate replacement regardless of remaining tread depth. The brake discs and calipers should be inspected for surface corrosion, seized slider pins, or binding caliper pistons, all of which are common on vehicles that sit for extended periods, and a handbrake function test on an incline is worthwhile. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as Mercedes-Benz vehicles are sensitive to voltage drops that can trigger spurious dashboard warnings, including the glow plug lamp. Finally, verify the service history stamps, paying particular attention to the timing belt replacement interval (typically due at five years or around 100,000 miles on the diesel variants), the condition and age of all under-bonnet fluids, and whether the diesel particulate filter has completed regular regeneration cycles through sustained driving. A pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist or an independent garage with diagnostic capability would be a sound investment given the vehicle's age and the recurring advisory items.