2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 2.1L Diesel · SC16 FGF

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA presents a stable but imperfect maintenance trend, with the most recent MOT pass recorded on 1 March 2023 at 65,599 miles. That test followed an initial failure on the same date for an insufficient windscreen washer supply and an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit. Both items were rectified before the pass was issued, indicating the owner addressed immediate failures rather than neglecting them outright. The pass, however, came with an advisory on the offside rear tyre wearing on its edge, a classic indicator of misaligned tracking or worn suspension bushes that has not been explicitly flagged as resolved in subsequent records. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 6,560 miles per year, which is typical for a ten-year-old vehicle and suggests consistent rather than light use. The record shows a jump of 6,377 miles between the June 2021 test at 53,749 miles and the February 2022 test at 60,125 miles, a reasonable annual increment. Crucially, the recorded mileage has remained static at 65,599 miles from March 2023 to the present date of June 2026, a gap of over three years with no new MOT entry. This strongly implies the vehicle has been sitting unused for an extended period, raising concerns about deteriorated rubber components, brake corrosion, and fluid degradation rather than mechanical wear from active driving. A buyer inspecting this GLA in person should prioritise the rear axle and braking system. The offside rear tyre wear pattern flagged in March 2023 points to potential tracking issues or worn rear suspension bushes and should be checked on a four-wheel alignment rig. Rear brake calipers and discs deserve close examination, as a stationary vehicle of this age is prone to caliper seizure and disc corrosion. The under trays and engine covers that obscured the inspection in both 2022 tests remain a concern; they must be removed to assess structural integrity of the subframe, suspension mounts, and floor pan for corrosion. The central stop lamp failure and side repeater defect from February 2022 were cleared for the pass, but electrical connections should still be verified for moisture ingress after prolonged storage. Fluid levels, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, require sampling or at minimum visual and smell checks for contamination and water absorption. The tyres, even if tread depth appears adequate, will almost certainly need replacement if the original rubber dates to 2021 or earlier, as perished sidewalls pose a genuine blowout risk. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent Mercedes specialist, including a diagnostic scan of all control modules, is strongly advised given the three-year gap in road use.