2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.6L Petrol · LD65 NMM

A 2015 Mercedes-Benz A-Class carrying 65,302 miles presents an MOT record dominated by a clean pass rate but punctuated by one dangerous failure and a cluster of recurring tyre advisories, which together form the central mechanical narrative for any prospective buyer. Across eight recorded tests since 2019, the vehicle has achieved seven passes, with the most recent examination on 12 September 2025 passing cleanly with four advisories noted. The single failure occurred on 14 October 2021, when the nearside front inner drive shaft was flagged as likely to become detached, a categorisation of defect that goes beyond a simple failure to a dangerous non-compliance and would have rendered the car unroadworthy at the time of test. Since that repair, the vehicle has passed at every subsequent attempt, including the 2024 and 2025 tests, suggesting that the driveline issue was addressed and has not recurred. However, the tyre advisories are a recurring theme: the offside rear tyre has been flagged for sidewall perishing or cracking in three consecutive tests from 2021 through 2022, and the 2025 test raised advisory notes on both front tyres for wearing close to the legal limit and on the edge, as well as a nearside rear tyre showing damage or perishing. This pattern suggests that tyre condition, particularly sidewall degradation, is an ongoing area requiring monitoring. The mileage profile for this eleven-year-old vehicle sits well below the typical accumulation rate for its age, with an annual average of approximately 5,937 miles. This is unusually low for a car that has been in regular use, having been tested annually since 2019 without any gaps suggesting long-term off-road status. Low annual mileage of this nature can result from predominantly short urban journeys, which tend to place different stresses on a vehicle compared to sustained motorway driving: brake discs and pads can suffer from surface corrosion due to infrequent high-temperature use, the exhaust system can deteriorate from accumulated internal moisture, and the 12V battery may have endured prolonged periods of partial charge. The consistent year-on-year testing does, however, indicate that the vehicle has remained in active service and has not been laid up for extended periods, which mitigates some of the concerns typically associated with low-mileage vehicles. The mileage progression between tests is broadly linear, with no sudden jumps that would indicate a discrepancy in recording, though the relatively short intervals between tests in 2024 (March and September) may simply reflect a change in test scheduling rather than any underlying mechanical issue. Given the 2025 advisories on both front tyres wearing close to the legal limit and on their edges, a prospective buyer should prioritise a close inspection of the front axle geometry and suspension components. Edge wear of this nature on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class frequently points to misalignment of the front wheels, worn suspension bushes, or deteriorated top mounts and lower wishbone joints, all of which are known wear items on this platform. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to any pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate uneven pad wear or a binding caliper following the low-mileage usage pattern. The rear tyre sidewall perishing flagged in 2021, 2022, and again in 2025 on the nearside rear warrants careful visual inspection for cracking, bulging, or any visible deformation of the sidewall rubber, as age-related perishing on a low-mileage car can be more pronounced due to UV exposure and prolonged periods of stationary dehydration of the compound. The dangerous failure recorded in October 2021 relating to the nearside front inner drive shaft is a serious item that demands specific attention. Inner CV joints on front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz A-Class vehicles are known to fail through torn or perished rubber boots allowing contamination of the joint, followed by play in the joint itself. On a test drive, listen for a rhythmic clicking or knocking from the front of the vehicle during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for any vibration or shunt through the steering under acceleration. Inspect the inner CV boot for signs of grease loss, splits, or recent replacement, as a fresh boot with no joint replacement could indicate an incomplete repair. Beyond these specific concerns, a compression test of the engine and inspection of the automatic or dual-clutch transmission fluid for colour and smell would be prudent given the low annual mileage, as these components suffer when not regularly exercised at operating temperature. The 2025 advisory noting undertrays fitted is a neutral item, but the buyer should ensure that all undertrays are present and secure, as their absence can expose the engine and ancillaries to road debris and water ingress.