Mercedes Benz A-Class (1998-2005) Review

Running Costs

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The A-Class holds its value better than comparably priced hatchbacks like the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, but it loses more value over the years than Mercedes' larger offerings, and is fractionally worse than the VW Golf, too. Servicing costs are a little more than for a Focus or a Golf also, while insurance costs are broadly on a par. Fuel consumption is excellent. Used A-Class examples are plentiful, and perhaps best bought through the Mercedes Direct scheme, which gets you a vetted car with a warranty. Ex-rental cars and minicabs are to be avoided - they lead a hard life, and the A-Class simply isn't as durable as big Merc saloons, broken trim, rattles and tired rear suspension being common ailments. So check the car's history carefully. Get a good one, though, and you'll have a very useful car, and the pleasure of driving a Mercedes for relatively modest outlay. Being such an usual car, this is hard to judge. The A-Class is the cheapest Mercedes you can buy new, it offers terrific space for its price (and spectacularly so for its size), is packed with clever engineering and reasonably well equipped. On the other hand it is not built to quite the same standards as traditional Mercedes and in terms of simple bulk, does not represent great value. In the end, you're paying for the badge, and the car's cleverness. If economy, prestige and brilliant packaging are what you need, you'll swear by it, as many owners do. But if you want a hatchback of sophisticated manners and exquisite build quality, you could be in for disappointment.