2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 1.6L Petrol · ST18 TYU

A split CV boot on the nearside front drive shaft recorded as a major failure in August 2024 stands out as the single significant mechanical event in this GLA's MOT history, with the car subsequently passing at the 2024 retest and again at both the 2025 and 2026 tests. That failure has been resolved, but a CV boot split is indicative of either external damage or degradation of the rubber, and once dirt ingresses past a compromised boot the grease is expelled and the joint wears rapidly. The remainder of the record is largely unremarkable, though the 2025 test did issue four advisories, all of which are minor in nature and largely procedural. With the most recent examination on 3 August 2026 recording no defects and the car having been through seven tests in total with just one failure, the pattern suggests broadly improving roadworthiness rather than deterioration. The recorded mileage of 37,587 miles across an eight-year-old vehicle equates to an average of roughly 4,700 miles per year, which is low for the age and segment of the vehicle. There are no gaps in the testing history, with annual examinations recorded from 2021 onwards, indicating the car has been in regular use and consistently presented for test rather than being laid up for extended periods. Lower annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain and suspension components, but it does mean that items susceptible to age-related degradation such as rubber boots, bushes, drive belts and brake hydraulic seals will have aged whether or not the car has covered many miles. The combination of low mileage and continuous annual testing points to a vehicle that has been used lightly and steadily rather than subjected to high-mileage motorway use or alternatively stored for long intervals. Given the CV boot failure on the 2024 test, any prospective buyer should inspect the condition of both front and rear drive shaft boots, paying particular attention to the nearside front for signs of fresh grease around the joint or any recent replacement. During a test drive, listen for any clicking or knocking from the front hubs when turning at low speed, which would suggest CV joint wear that has progressed since the boot was repaired. The 2025 advisories noted front brake pads wearing thin alongside light wear on both front brake discs, so on inspection the pad material remaining should be checked and the disc surfaces examined for lipping or scoring, with any vibration through the steering wheel under braking suggesting disc warpage. It is also worth inspecting the underside of the vehicle for corrosion, as the GLA platform is not immune to surface rust on suspension arms, subframe mounting points and brake pipe clips, even at relatively low mileage. The rear child seat fitted advisories are not mechanical concerns but are worth noting simply as items that prevented full inspection of the rear adult belts during testing. On a road test, the suspension should be assessed over uneven surfaces for clonking noises from the front, which could indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes or drop links, and the steering checked for any vagueness or pull that might point to worn track rod ends. Overall, the MOT record itself is favourable aside from the CV boot issue, but a thorough physical inspection and test drive focused on the flagged components remains essential before purchase.