2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 35 4MATIC Auto 2.0L Petrol · NJ02 SUE

The vehicle presents a clean bill of health at its most recent MOT on 28 August 2025 at 35,411 miles, with zero defects recorded. The maintenance trend is clearly improving. The 2023 test flagged multiple tyre defects, yet those issues were fully resolved by 2024, and the car has now passed two consecutive years without a single advisory or failure. This suggests the previous owner addressed the tyre wear problem rather than ignoring it. The annual mileage of roughly 5,902 miles is notably low for a six-year-old performance compact SUV. Between August 2023 and August 2024, the car covered 7,478 miles, and between August 2024 and August 2025, it covered just 4,359 miles. That second-year drop indicates the vehicle saw even lighter use recently, which can mean less mechanical wear but also raises the possibility of prolonged standing periods. Short trips and infrequent use can cause moisture accumulation in the exhaust and oil, brake surface corrosion, and tyre flat-spotting, none of which the MOT alone will reveal. The recurring theme across the 2023 test was premature and uneven inner-edge wear on all four tyres, accompanied by cracking and perishing. Inner-edge wear on a 4MATIC model with AMG suspension often points to aggressive camber settings, worn suspension bushes, or failing shock absorbers. The fact that the tyres were replaced or rotated and no further wear-related defects appeared in 2024 or 2025 is encouraging, but a buyer should still inspect the current tyres for any return of inner-edge degradation. A close check of front and rear suspension bushes, ball joints, and coil spring seats is also warranted, along with an underbody inspection for corrosion on the subframes and mounting points, which can develop on lightly used vehicles that sit for extended periods. Brake condition deserves attention too. The low annual mileage and potential for standing time mean surface corrosion on brake discs and binding calipers are plausible even if the 2025 test passed cleanly. A test drive should assess whether the car pulls under braking, whether the handbrake holds firmly on a gradient, and whether there is any judder through the pedal. The exhaust system and DPF, if fitted, should be reviewed for signs of incomplete regeneration cycles, which are common on vehicles doing short, low-speed journeys. Overall, the MOT record is reassuring, but the usage pattern demands a thorough physical inspection focused on suspension geometry, tyre condition, and corrosion rather than taking the clean certificate at face value.