Used Mercedes GLA 2020-present review reliability
Category: Family SUV
A varied engine range, smart interior and comfortable ride make the Mercedes GLA a good buy, albeit a fairly pricey one.
What should I look for in a used Mercedes GLA-Class hatchback?
As a fashionable SUV, the Mercedes GLA is likely to have spent a lot of time around urban areas, such as high streets, multi-story car parks and supermarkets. That means you should check for dings in the bodywork caused by minor bumps. It’s also worth looking at the wheels for kerb damage; not only does this look scruffy, but kerb impacts can force the steering out of alignment and can indicate that the suspension has been subjected to heavy impacts.
What are the most common problems with a used Mercedes GLA-Class hatchback?
The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications
The emergency call system will require a free software update at a Mercedes dealer to fix this issue.
Locking pawl spring of the left side door locks might not be greased correctly
This issue can be fixed very easily by greasing the locking pawl spring on the door lock. This can be rectified for free at a Mercedes dealer.
Is a used Mercedes GLA-Class hatchback reliable?
The GLA finished in a middling 15th position out of 33 cars in the family SUV category of the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, with a score of 94.6%. This places it above the Audi Q3 (20th), BMW X2 (19th) and Volvo XC40 petrol (17th), but below the Lexus UX (11th) and the 2017-present Mazda CX-5 petrol (9th).
As a brand, Mercedes came 22nd out of 31 manufacturers with an overall score of 89.7%. This put it above Audi and Alfa Romeo, but below BMW, Jaguar and Volvo.
Used Mercedes GLA reliability: owners' views
As part of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, owners found the reliability of the Mercedes GLA (2020-present) to be mixed.
One owner reported issues with the car's infotainment system, which developed persistent faults requiring multiple dealer visits to resolve. Despite this, they found the dealership helpful, though the repairs were time-consuming. Another owner highlighted problems with a faulty warning light, which turned out to be a sensor issue. While the repair was eventually covered under warranty, the process was described as frustrating due to slow communication from the dealer.
Not all experiences were negative, however. One owner praised their GLA as reliable with no faults reported over three years, and they found the dealer network responsive for routine servicing.
Overall, feedback suggests reliability concerns for some models but a generally supportive dealer network willing to assist when problems arise.
To take part in our annual reliability survey with your car, please follow the link here
