Mercedes-Benz A-Class W168
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class W168 (1997–2004): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 30 versions in the United Kingdom.
Model codes: W168, V168
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,580–3,780 mm RDW | 3,606–3,780 mm |
| Width | 1,720 mm RDW | 1,719 mm |
| Height | 1,580 mm RDW | 1,587 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,420–2,590 mm RDW | 2,423–2,593 mm |
| Front track | 1,497–1,503 mm ASTRA | – |
| Rear track | 1,448–1,462 mm ASTRA | – |
| Weights and towing | ||
| Kerb weight | 995–1,095 kg RDW | – |
| Mass in running order | 1,095–1,195 kg RDW | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,480–1,630 kg RDW | – |
| Towing, braked trailer | 800–1,000 kg RDW | – |
| Towing, unbraked trailer | 400 kg RDW | – |
| Seats and space | ||
| Seats | 4–5 RDW | – |
| Doors | 4 RDW | – |
| Performance | ||
| Top speed | 167–198 km/h RDW | – |
| Torque | 130–180 Nm ASTRA | – |
Tyre sizes (most common first): 205/45R16, 185/55R15, 195/50R15
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 years and older | 64.6% (63.8–65.3) | 69.2% | 15,593 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 56.8% | 36.4% |
| Suspension | 49.5% | 41.6% |
| Lights and electrics | 38.4% | 28.8% |
| Tyres | 33.5% | 31.2% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 16.0% | 18.6% |
| Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers) | 15.7% | 11.8% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
All 30 versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W168
Show all 30 versions
United Kingdom 30 versions
New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004A 140 Automatic · A 140 | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 180 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 140 LWB | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 180 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 140 | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.1 L/100 km NEDC | 170 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 140 LWB | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.1 L/100 km NEDC | 170 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 160 | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 184 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 160 LWB | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.2 L/100 km NEDC | 172 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 160 | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.2–7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 172–180 g/km |
| 2004A160 LWB | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 184 g/km |
| 2003–2004A 160 CDI | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 4.5 L/100 km NEDC | 119 g/km |
| 2003–2004A 160 CDI | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed automatic | 5.5 L/100 km NEDC | 146 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 170 CDI · A 170 CDI LWB | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 5.0–5.2 L/100 km NEDC | 133–139 g/km |
| 2003–2004A 170 CDI · A 170 CDI LWB | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed automatic | 5.5 L/100 km NEDC | 145 g/km |
| 2001–2004A 190 · A 190 LWB | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.5–7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 180–184 g/km |
| 2003–2004A 190 · A 190 LWB | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.6 L/100 km NEDC | 182 g/km |
| 2002–2004A 21 AMG LWB · A 21 AMG | 2.1 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.9 L/100 km NEDC | 190 g/km |
| 2002–2004A 21 AMG LWB · A 21 AMG | 2.1 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 8.2 L/100 km NEDC | 197 g/km |
| 2001–2003A 160 LWB | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.5–7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 180–184 g/km |
| 2000–2003A 170 CDI Hatchback · A 170 CDI · A 170 CDI LWB | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed automatic | 5.8 L/100 km NEDC | 156 g/km |
| 2002–2003A 170 CDI LWB | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed automatic | 5.8 L/100 km NEDC | 156 g/km |
| 2001–2003A 190 | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.9 L/100 km NEDC | 190 g/km |
| 2001–2003A 190 LWB | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.9 L/100 km NEDC | 190 g/km |
| 2001A 190 LWB | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 184 g/km |
| 2000A 140 Hatchback | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.4 L/100 km NEDC | 171 g/km |
| 2000A 140 Hatchback | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.6 L/100 km NEDC | 182 g/km |
| 2000A 140 Automatic Hatchback | 1.4 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 180 g/km |
| 2000A 160 Hatchback | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.5 L/100 km NEDC | 172 g/km |
| 2000A 160 Hatchback | 1.6 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 183 g/km |
| 2000A 170 CDI Hatchback | 1.7 L | Diesel | 5-speed manual | 4.9 L/100 km NEDC | 131 g/km |
| 2000A 190 Hatchback | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | 7.7 L/100 km NEDC | 185 g/km |
| 2000A 190 Hatchback | 1.9 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 8.2 L/100 km NEDC | 196 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.