2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.4L Petrol · LT51 AWY
2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1.4L, petrol). First registered 06 Sept 2001. Recorded mileage 62,834 miles. MOT expired on 24 Aug 2024.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 24 Aug 2024
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 62,834 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.4L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
LT51 AWY Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 24/08/2023
- 62,834 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 9 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (14 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LT51 AWY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (LT51 AWY) between July 2022 and August 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 24 August 2023 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (14 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 20 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))”.
LT51 AWY Mileage History
- 23/07/202260,943 mi
- 26/07/202260,965 mi+22 mi
- 24/08/202362,834 mi+1,869 mi
Average of roughly 1,740 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
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MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution and budget for upcoming maintenance. While the mileage is impressively low for a 2001 model, the MOT history reveals persistent issues with corrosion and suspension components that require immediate attention.
Your primary focus should be on the underside of the vehicle. The MOT history shows a long-standing issue with brake pipe corrosion (noted in 2022, 2023, and 2015) and exhaust silencer corrosion. Negotiate the price downwards to account for the potential replacement of these lines and the exhaust box.
Additionally, check the service history to see if the suspension components mentioned in the 2023 MOT—specifically the front subframe mounting area and the offside front suspension arm bush—have been addressed. Given the age, ensure that rubber components like tyres and bushes are not perishing, as evidenced by the 'cracking/perishing' advisory in the latest test.
As a 1.4L petrol model, this A-Class is relatively economical for its era, falling into a moderate insurance group and tax band. Fuel economy should be acceptable for urban driving, though being an older Mercedes, it won't match modern hybrid standards.
Maintenance costs will likely be higher than average due to the age of the vehicle. While parts for this model are widely available, the labour required to tackle the corrosion issues noted in the MOT history can add up. Expect an annual maintenance budget that accounts for periodic replacement of wear items like tyres, brakes, and exhaust components.
Prioritise a thorough inspection of the braking system. The MOT history specifically flags corrosion on both front and rear brake pipes; check if these have been replaced or if they are merely cleaned/greased as per the advisory. You should also inspect the front subframe mounting areas for structural integrity, as corrosion was noted in the 2023 test.
Check the suspension for leaks and play. A previous failure was recorded for a leaking nearside rear shock absorber, and a worn suspension arm bush was advised in 2023. Finally, inspect the exhaust system for heavy corrosion, as 'exhaust box corroded' and 'rear silencer corroded' have been recurring themes since at least 2014.
This 2001 Mercedes-Benz A-Class presents an interesting proposition with just 62,834 miles on the clock, which is significantly low for its age. However, the recent MOT history shows a pattern of recurring advisories regarding brake pipe corrosion and exhaust deterioration. While it has passed its most recent tests, the cumulative advisories suggest a vehicle that may soon require significant investment in its underside and braking systems.
Specific aggregate reliability data for this 2001 A-Class variant is unavailable, but historical MOT trends for this era suggest attention to underside corrosion is common.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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