Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse 176 A 180 CDI, 109 PS, 6-speed manual (2012–2015)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2012-2018): known problems and buying guide

  A risky buy unless dry and well serviced. Check the boot and footwells for water, the front suspension for knocks and the recall list by VIN before you pay.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Open the boot and lift the spare-wheel cover. Water, damp carpet or corrosion points to the flap seals behind the rear bumper. Check the footwell and control-unit connectors. A scanner reads stored faults. Bad: water or corrosion.
2. Check rear arches, roof edge, door seams and sills for paint blisters, and the underbody cover edges for rust. Bad: soft bubbles or rust through the paint.
3. Drive over speed bumps and listen for front knocks. Check the drop links (short bars to the anti-roll bar) and the control-arm bushes for play. Bad: clunks or split bushes.
4. Check start-stop at a standstill. If it never works, the buffer battery under the passenger seat may be worn; a scanner reads the fault memory. Bad: no start-stop.
5. Test COMAND or Audio 20 (radio and navigation) with the radio on and off. Pair a phone and select reverse. Bad: a blank camera or a failed map update.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions