Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 332,435 MOT tests, around 77% of Mercedes-Benz A-Classes still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 8% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 15%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 53% diesel, 45% petrol. Diesel A-Classes are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol A-Classes are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 77%
- Likely charged
- 8%
- Depends on the car
- 15%
- MOT tests analysed
- 332,435
Check a specific A-Class
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
A-Class ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many A-Classes of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant461 tested | Likely compliant690 tested | Likely compliant238 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant6,824 tested | Likely compliant23,377 tested | Likely compliant6,289 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant20,526 tested | Likely compliant31,612 tested | Likely compliant3 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant20,645 tested | Likely compliant20,716 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant28,246 tested | Likely compliant12,784 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant29,096 tested | Likely compliant9,277 tested | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car22,314 tested | Likely compliant4,721 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car19,438 tested | Likely compliant4,489 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged11,734 tested | Likely compliant4,361 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged2,473 tested | Likely compliant3,045 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged1,998 tested | Likely compliant3,714 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged2,124 tested | Likely compliant4,469 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged2,258 tested | Likely compliant5,185 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,925 tested | Likely compliant5,438 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged1,803 tested | Likely compliant5,074 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged1,600 tested | Likely compliant3,777 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged1,000 tested | Check Euro standard2,706 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged199 tested | Check Euro standard1,422 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged215 tested | Check Euro standard1,470 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged147 tested | Check Euro standard1,101 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged119 tested | Check Euro standard700 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged29 tested | Likely charged317 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged24 tested | Likely charged199 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the A-Class
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (53% of A-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (45% of A-Classes tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (2% of A-Classes tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
A-Classes from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (15% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Mercedes-Benz can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how A-Classes fare at the MOT too: see the Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class for London: what the MOT data shows
The Mercedes-Benz A-Classes in this data were first registered between 1999 and 2021. 2019 was the most common year, with 52,145 tests (16% of the total), and half were registered in 2017 or later.
A-Classes from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 82% of the time, at an average of 47,611 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 66% of the time with 81,294 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel A-Classes likely to comply are from 2016. 29,096 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 80% of the time and averaged 59,513 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol A-Classes likely to comply are from 2006. 3,777 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 59% of the time and averaged 88,982 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the A-Class's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (2.5% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.3%); suspension: "fractured or broken" (2.1%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.8% of tests.
Overall, 79% of A-Classes passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 54,453 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Mercedes-Benz models
About this data
Based on 332,435 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 332,435 MOT tests say about the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and London's ULEZ.
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 77% of A-Classes on the road are likely compliant and 8% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol A-Class years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol A-Classes first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel A-Class ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel A-Classes from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific A-Class is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your A-Class ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.