If you're in the market for a car that's sporty, comfortable and fun to drive, then a used Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a great choice. This premium hatchback has been a staple nameplate on Britain's roads for over two decades, offering a luxury features and a wide selection of engines. It has an upmarket interior, sleek styling and up-to-date technology - it's the full package.
Find your perfect used Mercedes A-Class from our extensive network of car supermarkets, independent, specialist and officially franchised Mercedes-Benz dealers.
Sheffield Car Centre Ltd
Prestige Motoring Group
Richlee Motor Company Billericay
Empire Autos NI
Brown Cars
Cavectra Centre
SG MOTORHOUSE LTD
JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD
Automania Birmingham ltd
Mercedes-Benz has supplied the A-Class with a variety of petrol, hybrid and diesel powerplants over the years. These combine with a manual or automatic gearbox and front or four-wheel drive.
Both the A-Class Hatchback and Saloon offer a practical amount of space for everyday driving, along with high-tech features that make the drive more enjoyable.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class debuted in 1997. At that time, it looked very different than it does today, with more of an MPV style. Through its four generations, it has slowly changed to become the traditional hatchback that it is today. Each generation has delivered new powertrain options, upgraded technology and a sleeker style.
For this generation, Mercedes-Benz offered both a hatchback and saloon configuration, helping it compete against other premium models. A plug-in hybrid was also released to add more efficiency to the range. Possibly the biggest change for the generation is the longer wheelbase and bigger boot, making it more practical.
A 2022 update changed the styling of the hatchback, adding flatter headlights, a new grille and a redesigned bonnet. At the back, LED taillights were added, along with a new rear bumper design (for both the hatchback and saloon).
Starting with the third generation, the compact MPV shape was eliminated as the A-Class adopted a conventional hatchback design, becoming a lot more desirable to younger buyers.
The interior was also upgraded with circular air vents and a built-in infotainment system that is similar to a tablet. Added safety features included the collision prevention assist that provided automatic braking.
With a 2015 update, the front fascia was modified to include two slats in the grille, similar to the one from the C-Class. However, the AMG models only had a single slat. The hatchback also offered a fresh, more modern appeal, designed to appeal to younger drivers.
The purpose of the second-gen A-Class was to refine the original design. Mercedes-Benz added more boot space, to make it more practical for families. There were also new technologies added, such as adaptive damping, for a smoother drive.
The 2009 facelift added stop-start technology to the engine to increase its efficiency. This addition allowed the motor to temporarily shut down when the vehicle wasn't moving. The company also added a USB input and adaptive brake lights.
Overwhelmingly, the petrol engines such as the A180 and A200 have been the most popular in the A-Class lineup. Enthusiasts love the added performance from the AMG lineup, giving the A-Class a sportscar-like driving experience with extra practicality.
Over the years, the A-Class has been available in many trims, including the SE, Sport, AMG Line, S Line and Black Edition. The most popular has been the AMG Line, due to the 18-inch allow wheels, extra unique exterior detailing and upgraded interior technologies.
The A-Class lineup has been extremely customisable, from interior materials to wheel designs. Some extras to look out for include a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and memory electric-adjustable front seats.
Even though the A-Class is on the smaller size, it can still be used as a relatively practical family car. The rear seat fits children comfortably and there are ISOFIX points for child car seats. The boot space is also accommodating to hold a reasonable amount of shopping bags or luggage.
Yes, there is a plug-in hybrid version of the A-Class Saloon. The A250e has a 1.3-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor to create 214bhp. When charged, it can offer up to 44 miles of driving on electric only, before transitioning to petrol/electric hybrid power.
The A-Class came standard with a manual gearbox, but an automatic was available with select engines. The automatic transmission isn't as popular as the manual here in the UK, but there's a decent selection among used examples.
Most A-Class models were built with standard front-wheel drive. There are a few four-wheel drive models on the used market, most notably the A 35 and A 45 performance versions, but they are more difficult to find.
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