Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Vauxhall Astra: which fails its MOT less?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails its MOT less often than the Vauxhall Astra.
- less often than the Vauxhall Astra, at the same age
- 10.0%less often than the Vauxhall Astra, at the same age
MOTs passed in 2024: Mercedes-Benz A-Class 82.1%, Vauxhall Astra 72.4%
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 967,530 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less often: MOT Risk Index 94.2 against 104.5 (100 = normal for its age; difference 10.3, 95% CI 9.6–11.0).
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 78.2 | 65.7 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 94.2 | 104.5 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 93.6–94.8 | 104.1–104.8 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 391 | 500 | 2024 |
| First tests | 331,452 | 636,078 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
82.1% of Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests and 72.4% of Vauxhall Astra tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
What explains the difference?
The clearest difference is suspension: against its own class and age, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class runs −2.8 items per 100 tests and the Vauxhall Astra +2.6, so the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has 5.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 5.4 to 5.5).
Each model is compared with its own class and age; the fleets can differ in mileage and use.
More detail
Dangerous defects and advisory items
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 9.0 | 14.0 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 91.0 | 157.2 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less at 16 of 17 ages where both are tested, and the gap points the same way at every age where it is clear. Across the 4 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 14.8 extra failed tests per 100 for the Vauxhall Astra (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −0.0 | −0.3 to +0.3 | not distinguishable |
| 4 | −2.1 | −2.4 to −1.7 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 5 | −3.3 | −3.6 to −3.0 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 6 | −4.2 | −4.6 to −3.8 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 7 | −5.2 | −5.6 to −4.8 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 8 | −6.0 | −6.5 to −5.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 9 | −6.5 | −7.0 to −6.0 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 10 | −6.8 | −7.4 to −6.2 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 11 | −7.8 | −8.5 to −7.1 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 12 | −7.9 | −8.6 to −7.1 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 13 | −7.6 | −8.4 to −6.9 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 14 | −8.0 | −8.7 to −7.2 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 15 | −7.3 | −8.1 to −6.4 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 16 | −6.2 | −7.1 to −5.3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 17 | −5.3 | −6.3 to −4.2 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 18 | −3.5 | −4.8 to −2.3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 19 | −1.8 | −3.3 to −0.3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Age band | Ages included | Mercedes-Benz A-Class, % | Vauxhall Astra, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 13.3 | 15.5 | −2.2 | −2.4 to −2.1 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 6–10 | 6–10 | 22.1 | 29.8 | −7.7 | −7.8 to −7.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 11+ | 11–20+ | 39.0 | 45.0 | −6.0 | −6.2 to −5.8 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,899,161 (initial tests at shared ages) · Method: difference of two proportions per age, Bonferroni-corrected for 17 ages; age bands pool the published ages with an unadjusted 95% interval, and the same car can appear at more than one age, so that interval is somewhat narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Where do their MOT failures diverge?
The clearest difference is suspension: against its own class and age, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class runs −2.8 items per 100 tests and the Vauxhall Astra +2.6, so the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has 5.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 5.4 to 5.5).
| Component group | Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs its class | Vauxhall Astra vs its class | Gap, Mercedes-Benz A-Class minus Vauxhall Astra | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | −2.8 | +2.6 | −5.5 | −5.5 to −5.4 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | −3.2 | +1.6 | −4.8 | −4.9 to −4.7 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Brakes | −0.9 | +3.2 | −4.1 | −4.2 to −4.1 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | −0.5 | +2.1 | −2.6 | −2.6 to −2.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | +0.8 | −0.6 | +1.4 | +1.4 to +1.4 | Vauxhall Astra fails less |
| Tyres | +0.8 | +1.3 | −0.5 | −0.5 to −0.4 | too small to matter |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,058,332 (initial tests) · Method: each model's failure items per 100 tests against the rate expected for its own class and age; Poisson interval; the age standard leaves the model out and is treated as fixed; items in the same test are treated as independent, so the interval is slightly narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If one fails, which is more likely to fail again?
A failure carries about the same extra risk of failing again on both: 10.4 percentage points on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 10.4 on the Vauxhall Astra.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 29.6 | 39.8 |
| After a passed test, % | 19.1 | 29.3 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 10.4 | 10.4 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 354,348 (tests after a fail) · Method: test chains of the same vehicles; cars sold or scrapped after a fail drop out · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What do six years of MOTs show about the two?
The biggest gap in advisories turning into fails is steering: 2.9% on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class against 10.0% on the Vauxhall Astra failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2.9 | 10.0 | −7.1 |
| Suspension | 18.5 | 24.4 | −5.9 |
| Brakes | 9.8 | 15.4 | −5.6 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.1 | 30.3 | −4.2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.7 | 9.0 | −3.4 |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.6 | 12.5 | +3.1 |
| Tyres | 8.8 | 10.8 | −2.1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9 | 4.0 | −1.1 |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.3 | 3.4 | +0.8 |
| Visibility | 9.5 | 10.2 | −0.8 |
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 48.3% | 46.0% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 49.3% | 51.4% |
| Median retest delay | 1.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.313 | 0.545 |
| Three-test clean streak | 42.3% | 28.0% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 20.0% | 38.3% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,065,483 (tracked advisories) · Method: same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT; common publishable components only · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Recalls, other countries and running costs, side by side
DVSA lists 100 recall campaigns matched to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and 37 to the Vauxhall Astra; more campaigns do not by themselves mean a less reliable car. Abroad, compare each model with that country's own average, because pass rates do not carry across rulebooks. Repair bills are catalogue estimates, not quotes.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Vauxhall Astra |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 100 | 37 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 17.3 (11,240 inspections) | 27.8 (27,136 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 43.4 (49,192 inspections) | 51.7 (93,738 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 29.1 (6,875 inspections) | 36.8 (10,481 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £40 | £114 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £40–£77 | £114–£217 |
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls register (OGL v3.0); Statens vegvesen PKK (CC BY 4.0), Traficom Katsastus (CC BY 4.0), RDW APK (CC0), adapted; UK repair price catalogue · Window: register as published; inspections 2024 · n = 198,662 (inspections abroad) · Method: recall campaigns matched by make and model, licensed-fleet denominator where available; abroad, samples below 500 suppressed and each model set against that country's own average, with no difference taken across countries; repair bill = chance of failing each item × its most common UK repair price, a catalogue estimate · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV · licences and full notice
How to cite this comparison
MOT Risk Index (2026). Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Vauxhall Astra: MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 25 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/compare/mercedes-a-class-vs-vauxhall-astra/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Vauxhall Astra: quick answers
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Vauxhall Astra more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less often: MOT Risk Index 94.2 against 104.5 (100 = normal for its age; difference 10.3, 95% CI 9.6–11.0).
Does the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Vauxhall Astra fail more MOTs?
21.8% of Mercedes-Benz A-Class first tests and 34.3% of Vauxhall Astra first tests failed in 2024. These raw rates do not allow for age; the MOT Risk Index does.
Which should I buy, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Vauxhall Astra?
If MOT reliability decides it, the evidence favours the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Still check the individual car's MOT history: these figures describe whole model populations.