Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Volkswagen Golf: which fails its MOT less?
Which of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT less depends on age.
- of Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOTs passed in 2024
- 82.1%of Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOTs passed in 2024
Volkswagen Golf: 77.5%
They change places at age 12.
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 1,161,386 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Volkswagen Golf has the lower MOT Risk Index (85.8 against 94.2; 100 = normal for its age), but which fails less depends on age.
Both fail less often than normal for their age.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 78.2 | 72.9 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 94.2 | 85.8 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 93.6–94.8 | 85.5–86.1 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 391 | 311 | 2024 |
| First tests | 331,452 | 829,934 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
82.1% of Mercedes-Benz A-Class tests and 77.5% of Volkswagen Golf tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
Raw pass rates point the other way because the fleets differ in age.
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 Volkswagen Golf +0.3, so the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has 3.1 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.0 to 3.2).
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 | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 9.0 | 11.2 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 91.0 | 137.8 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
They change places at age 12: the difference is clear at 15 of 17 ages, and which fails less depends on the age of the car. Across the 4 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 10.3 extra failed tests per 100 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −1.6 | −1.8 to −1.3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 4 | +0.8 | +0.5 to +1.1 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 5 | +2.7 | +2.4 to +3.0 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 6 | +3.0 | +2.7 to +3.4 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 7 | +3.8 | +3.4 to +4.2 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 8 | +3.7 | +3.3 to +4.1 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 9 | +3.2 | +2.7 to +3.7 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 10 | +2.0 | +1.4 to +2.6 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 11 | −0.3 | −1.0 to +0.4 | not distinguishable |
| 12 | −1.2 | −2.0 to −0.4 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 13 | −1.4 | −2.2 to −0.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 14 | −2.5 | −3.3 to −1.7 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 15 | −2.7 | −3.6 to −1.9 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 16 | −2.5 | −3.4 to −1.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 17 | −2.6 | −3.6 to −1.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 18 | −1.7 | −2.9 to −0.5 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| 19 | −0.7 | −2.2 to +0.8 | not distinguishable |
| Age band | Ages included | Mercedes-Benz A-Class, % | Volkswagen Golf, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 13.3 | 12.6 | +0.6 | +0.5 to +0.7 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 6–10 | 6–10 | 22.1 | 20.2 | +1.9 | +1.8 to +2.0 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| 11+ | 11–20+ | 39.0 | 40.7 | −1.8 | −2.0 to −1.6 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,559,165 (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 Volkswagen Golf +0.3, so the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has 3.1 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.0 to 3.2).
| Component group | Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs its class | Volkswagen Golf vs its class | Gap, Mercedes-Benz A-Class minus Volkswagen Golf | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | −2.8 | +0.3 | −3.1 | −3.2 to −3.0 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Body, chassis, structure | −0.6 | +2.5 | −3.1 | −3.1 to −3.0 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | −0.5 | +0.4 | −0.9 | −0.9 to −0.9 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class fails less |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | +0.8 | +0.2 | +0.6 | +0.6 to +0.6 | Volkswagen Golf fails less |
| Brakes | −0.9 | −1.4 | +0.4 | +0.4 to +0.5 | too small to matter |
| Steering | −1.5 | −1.0 | −0.4 | −0.5 to −0.4 | too small to matter |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,896,441 (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 on the Volkswagen Golf carries 1.3 percentage points more extra risk of failing again than on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 29.6 | 34.5 |
| After a passed test, % | 19.1 | 22.9 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 10.4 | 11.7 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 350,972 (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 15.2% on the Volkswagen Golf failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2.9 | 15.2 | −12.3 |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.6 | 21.1 | −5.5 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.1 | 31.5 | −5.4 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.7 | 9.2 | −3.5 |
| Visibility | 9.5 | 12.1 | −2.6 |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.3 | 6.8 | −2.5 |
| Brakes | 9.8 | 12.2 | −2.4 |
| Tyres | 8.8 | 9.6 | −0.8 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9 | 3.7 | −0.8 |
| Suspension | 18.5 | 19.1 | −0.6 |
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 48.3% | 45.0% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 49.3% | 52.0% |
| Median retest delay | 1.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.313 | 0.408 |
| Three-test clean streak | 42.3% | 33.4% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 20.0% | 34.5% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,136,681 (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 49 to the Volkswagen Golf; 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 | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 100 | 49 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 17.3 (11,240 inspections) | 25.5 (64,483 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 43.4 (49,192 inspections) | 48.1 (246,360 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 29.1 (6,875 inspections) | 30.6 (88,325 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £40 | £80 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £40–£77 | £80–£152 |
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 = 466,475 (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 Volkswagen Golf: 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-volkswagen-golf/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Volkswagen Golf: quick answers
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Volkswagen Golf more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Volkswagen Golf has the lower MOT Risk Index (85.8 against 94.2; 100 = normal for its age), but which fails less depends on age.
Does the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Volkswagen Golf fail more MOTs?
21.8% of Mercedes-Benz A-Class first tests and 27.1% of Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf?
On MOT reliability neither is a practical winner. Choose the individual car with the cleaner MOT history and fewer repeated advisories.