Buying a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2013-2018)

Prior to the launch of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the German luxury car-maker had never produced a car of this size and type, and with hindsight probably wished it never had.

The original W168 series suffered stability issues, so serious in one instance that a car being previewed by the media during 1997 rolled while attempting a ‘swerve and recover’ test.

Twelve weeks and some radical redesign work later, an A-Class with its weight seriously redistributed and electronic stability control added was released. Almost certainly, the A-Class was the first car of its kind to include ESC as standard.

Mercedes-Benz Australia launched the W168 A-Class in 1998, but at almost $40,000 for a 1.6-litre Classic, these were not cheap cars. As the new century rolled around and sales continued to stutter, more models were added and prices trimmed.

By 2005, when the second-generation W169 series rolled in, the cost of an entry-level A-Class had fallen to $37,000 (before on-road costs), the engine enlarged to 1.7 litres and standard specification improved significantly.

Sales didn’t though, and 2010 saw local showrooms empty of A-Class cars for the first time in over a decade. Overseas sales continued, with seven mainstream petrol models joined in 2010 by a limited run of E-Cell electric versions.

Australia finally saw the all-new third-generation W176 version in March 2013, and it was a very different A-Class – arguably the one Mercedes-Benz should have built from the outset.

The tallboy styling was gone, replaced by a more traditional hatch design that had strong driver’s appeal and could at last take the fight up to the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

The five-model launch line-up opened with the 90kW A 180 turbo that started below $36,000, while the range was bolstered five months later with the hottest of all hot hatches turning up – the sizzling 265kW Mercedes-AMG A 45.

Receiving a mid-life update in 201, the W176 ran until 2018, when it was replaced by the fourth-generation W177 series that continues today.

Buying Used: Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2013-18) – Quick Checklist
• Several airbag-related recalls involving W176 models are noted but these were unrelated to the more critical Takata recall. Using the VIN, check via a Mercedes-Benz dealer that rectification has occurred.
• Shudder or ‘flaring’ from the dual-clutch automatic transmission signals a problem – and probable costly consequences.
• Engine misfires when accelerating can occur because one or more coil packs need replacement. Not a huge issue but needs to be fixed pre-sale.
• Clunks from the steering are said to be caused by worn bearings in the steering rack.

The W176 generation was an entirely new Mercedes-Benz A-Class – larger and more sophisticated than the cars that came before it.

Australia’s W176 range began with the A 180. Accompanied by others, the A 180 arrived here in 2013 with 90kW of power from 1.6 litres and a list price of $35,800 plus on-road costs.

Seven-speed automatic transmission was mandatory and features included climate-control air-conditioning, a six-stack/six-speaker stereo, parking sensors, a reversing camera and automatic lights and wipers.

Above the entry-level car, with more power in both turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel forms, was the A 200. With its 1.8-litre oil-burning engine consuming around five litres of diesel every 100km, the A 200 CDI hatch was economical yet still delivered 100kW of power.

With greater emphasis on performance, the turbo-petrol A 200 produced 115kW while averaging 6.1L/100km. Both versions cost $40,900 plus ORCs.

The next step up was moderate in terms of price, but significant when considering the uplift in features and performance. The A 250 Sport remained auto-only but included a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 155kW.

At $49,990 plus ORCs, it was a value package aimed at the enthusiastic driver with bigger 18-inch alloys, a roof spoiler and sports suspension. Included as well was an electric sunroof, sports seats with adjustable lumbar support and automated parking.

Securing maximum performance and the full suite of A-Class luxury equipment meant coughing up $75,000 and stepping up to the Mercedes-AMG A 45.

However, AMG’s first-ever four-cylinder model looked to be well worth the outlay.

Running on 98-octane and with some serious internal tweaking, this version of the 1991cc turbo engine delivered a monster 265kW, with torque peaking at 450Nm and 0-100km/h run down in just 4.6 seconds.

The sports seats had massive side bolsters to help combat the significant lateral Gs generated by 35-profile tyres on 19-inch AMG alloys. And the brakes were breathtaking.

Inside, the cabin was highlighted by arrays of carbon-fibre, red accents and leather-like fabrics which helped remind owners of how much extra they had spent on the AMG upgrade.

Early in 2016 came the W176’s first and only major update, which in turn made way for the improved and more potent W177 range.

W176 update prices increased slightly, mostly because the A-Class from 2016 used adaptive suspension – described by Mercedes-Benz as Dynamic Select – which incorporated a new Comfort mode.

The 2.0-litre versions scored modest power increases but the A 45 climbed 15kW to a very serious 280kW while shaving 0.2 seconds off its 0-100km/h time.

The original Mercedes-Benz A-Class certainly wasn’t one of the German car-maker’s finer efforts but the company regrouped and by 2013 had radically altered the concept and execution.

With a range of models ranging from very mild to ultra-wild, it is difficult to define the typical character of an A-Class. However, an A 250 Sport is likely to meet most expectations.

Of course, the basic 90kW A 180 is a different kind of car to the A 45, but the basic architecture is the same. Headroom and shoulder-room, cabin access, luggage space and visibility all remain very similar, no matter which version you choose.

Steering across the range is good and only improves as the amount of rubber on the road increases. So too braking performance, which at the cheap end of the range is entirely competent and becomes eye-popping in an AMG.

Wheels and tyres offer ways of personalising the character of an A-Class without a huge extra outlay. You may not want to jump all the way to a set of authentic AMG 19s, but it is possible within the second-hand market to find 1.6-litre cars enjoying the benefits of bigger wheels (whether official Mercedes-Benz options or aftermarket) and lower-profile tyres.

Post-2016 models with their amended suspension settings and electronic damper adjustment help manage the conflicts between firmly-sprung handling and well-insulated comfort and will appeal to people who drive often on second-rate roads.

Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer of progressive safety crumple zones so the A-Class was always a model that performed well in crash testing. So well in fact that a 2013 version of the W176 scored 35.8 from a possible 37 points in European evaluation and was granted a local five-star ANCAP ranking.

All models are brimming with active and passive safety measures, including multiple airbags, belt tensioners, electric traction and stability control and tyre pressure monitoring. Lane departure and adaptive cruise control are available on some versions.

Fuel economy is good for a car of this size and type, with local A 250 tests consistently returning 6.6-7.4L/100km. The 1.6 will do better, AMGs likely worse and their need for 98-octane fuel will impact running costs as well.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is not a big car, but accessibility front and rear is good. The rear seat is tight for adults, but fine for younger children, even when sharing with a child seat.

The boot is smaller than is typical for cars in this class, but Mercedes-Benz claims in mitigation that loading is helped by the wide hatch and minimal wheel-arch intrusion. Available space grows from 355 to 1200 litres with the rear seats lowered.

As noted earlier, the A-Class ticks virtually every box in terms of passenger protection and collision avoidance, making it a good choice for inexperienced drivers.

Although turbocharged, all versions except the A 45 can legally be driven in every state (we checked) by drivers on a provisional licence .

• Most concerning of the problems known to affect W176 models include a small number of drive shaft failures, coolant leaks and defective airbag actuators. Reports began emerging several years ago, resulting in recalls, and it is unlikely that any still suffering these issues will be found.
• It seems every brand that adopts dual-clutch automatic transmissions is beset by problems, yet they persevere. Transmissions that surge for no reason, shudder when downshifting and thump on upshifts are best avoided altogether.
• Reports have surfaced of W176s – mostly petrol-engined models but a few diesels – leaking coolant and triggering a dashboard warning. Some had leaking thermostats as the source, others coolant pipes or a faulty filler cap. Whatever the reason, keep an eye on the temperature gauge and be wary of coloured coolant anywhere around a warm engine after test driving.
• Big wheels, very low-profile tyres and rough Australian roads can be a costly combination. When checking an A-Class, and especially the A 45 AMG version, look as best you can at the alloy rims for cracks and buckling (inside especially) and the tyres for bulging sidewalls.
• Any car with rim damage will very likely have deranged suspension too, so arrange a pre-purchase check by a Benz specialist.

Used vehicle grading for Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2013-18)
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 18/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 15/20 (A45)
Score: 74/100

Also consider: Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volkswagen Golf GTI