Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W177 or Audi A3 (8Y): which has fewer APK problems?

At 5–6 years (mostly built 2019–2021) 1.3% of inspected Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W177s had at least one A-problem, against 0.8% for the Audi A3 (8Y) and 1.9% nationally. The difference is small: the confidence intervals overlap, so at this age they are close. Over all ages together the Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W177 has an A-problem 38% less often than average, the Audi A3 (8Y) 40% less often.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

At this age the A3 (8Y) has fewer A-problems.

Also check the weak spots and the history of the specific car.

ModelModel years

Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W177

2018 – 2026

Illustration Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W177

Audi A3 (8Y)

2020 – 2026

Illustration Audi A3 (8Y)
AA-problemsDefects at the APK

1.3%

n = 6,609 · 95% CI 1.0 – 1.6%

0.8%

n = 1,939 · 95% CI 0.5 – 1.3%

All defectsAll kinds of APK defects

20.8%

n = 6,609 · 95% CI 19.8 – 21.8%

20.1%

n = 1,939 · 95% CI 18.3 – 21.9%

Three points to checkMost common defects at the APK
  1. 1Brakes
  2. 2Seat belts, seats and airbags
  3. 3Control arms / ball joints
  1. 1Seat belts, seats and airbags
Next stepSee the details or open the checklist.
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A-problems side by side

Percentages with 95% confidence intervals.

02468101214161820 A-problems (%) National: 1.9% · n = 531,655 · 95% CI 1.9 – 1.9% Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W1772018 – 2026 1.3% (n = 6,609 · 95% CI 1.0 – 1.6%) Audi A3 (8Y)2020 – 2026 0.8% (n = 1,939 · 95% CI 0.5 – 1.3%)

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More comparisons

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know