Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £14,290 to £18,645
Economical diesels; stop-start technology; clever parking aid; easy to drive; safe; Mercedes image.
Cabin not very versatile; not really a five-seater; very expensive for what it is.
A ground-breaker in its time, but rivals can now do the job as well - and cheaper.
The A-Class is expensive to buy in the first place, but its residual (resale) values have improved. The A made a great rental car but that contributed to a glut on the used market for a while and it took the car's image downmarket. However, the A-Class now has a strong and loyal following, with a high proportion of its owners opting for the same again.
The diesels are the most sought-after, in combination with the higher trim levels because most second-hand buyers are seeking both comfort and economy. There are fewer takers for the entry-level petrol versions, however.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mercedes A-Class
wrote on 16 08 2006