Ignition coils / spark plugs
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coil and plugs
€100–300
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)
1997–2004
1
engines covered
7
known faults
3,904
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
7
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168) was built from 1997 to 2004.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 7 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Catalytic converter: it usually appears at 180,000–260,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (27.9 %), suspension (18.8 %), brakes (13.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension. It fails less often than average on: steering, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engine | Petrol | Check manual | — |
Faults by engine
Petrol engine
Water pump
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace pump
€250–500
Catalytic converter
usually 180,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle, efficiency code
Fix: Replace
€500–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
5G / 7G / 9G-Tronic
Conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic)
usually 100,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Stuck in gear, limp mode, harsh shifts
Fix: Replace the conductor plate; fluid every 60–100,000 km
€500–1,500
Autoshift / softouch (automated)
Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts
Fix: Repair or replace the actuator; clutch re-learn
€500–1,500
Clutch wear (automated)
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, harsh engagement
Fix: Replace clutch + re-learn
€500–1,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the Petrol engine engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 3,904 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.8 % | 13.3 % | 16.1 % |
| Suspension | 13.2 % | 18.8 % | 22.7 % |
| Steering | 0.8 % | 1.0 % | 2.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.2 % | 6.8 % | 9.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 21.2 % | 27.9 % | 33.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 4.5 % | 6.4 % | 8.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.8 % | 5.7 % | 4.7 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 3,555 cars.
| age (years) | 20+ |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 10.9 % |
| Suspension | 10.0 % |
| Steering | 1.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 16.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 28.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 3.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 2.6 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (7). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time17/08/2021 · R/2021/277
- Airbag The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time17/08/2021 · R/2021/279
- Fuel system Fuel may leak30/09/2010 · R/2010/123
- Fuel system Engine emergency shut off on board diagnosis or tank/speedo signal may be affected10/11/2008 · R/2008/147
- Seat belt Seat belt buckle could detach.14/10/2008 · R/2008/126
- Visibility Wiper arm may fracture19/12/2005 · R/2005/140
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brakes may not perform to specification28/04/2001 · R/2010/152
Common questions
What are the known problems with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)?
The faults with the highest risk: clutch actuator / hydraulic unit (80,000–160,000 km, €500–1,500); catalytic converter (180,000–260,000 km, €500–1,500); conductor plate / speed sensor (5G / 7G-Tronic) (100,000–220,000 km, €500–1,500); clutch wear (automated) (80,000–150,000 km, €500–1,000). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (27.9 %), suspension (18.8 %), brakes (13.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension. It fails less often than average on: steering, body and corrosion.
What should you check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (7 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts; rattle, efficiency code. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W169) 2004–2012Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) 2012–2018Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177) 2018–
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Mercedes-Benz CLK (C208) 1997–2003Mercedes-Benz ML (W163) 1997–2005Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) 1998–2005Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) 1996–2004Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638) 1996–2003Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) 1995–2003Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) 2000–2007Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) 1993–2000Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) 2001–2011Mercedes-Benz CLK (C209) 2002–2010
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026