Is a used Mercedes A-Class a good buy?

The Mercedes A-Class is a high quality hatchback and one of the best-selling cars in the UK, mainly because it represents a good opportunity for a wider range of buyers' to get their hands on the keys to a Mercedes thanks to it's relatively affordable price tag.

The fact it sells so well speaks volumes, as while it competes with the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, drivers looking for a cheaper alternative might also look towards the VW Golf or the Mazda 3. 

Primarily, the Mercedes A-Class is designed as an upmarket family car. It's practical enough as a hatchback for daily family use with space for five and a good-sized boot with plenty of impressive technology and high-quality materials inside. But the fact it has a Mercedes badge on the front gives it an extra element of gravitas.

It's popularity as a new car means it's widely available on the used market. This means that there are thousands of cars on the second-hand market giving buyers plenty of choice.

The latest Mercedes A-Class has had a mild redesign on the outside and is sporting smaller and sharper front headlights with a slimmer side profile. The boot has also significantly improved over the old car, while comfort levels remain high.

However, the biggest changes have been made on the inside. All models get twin 7-inch screens, and more expensive cars harbour massive 10.5-inch touchscreens that work together to create a widescreen effect.

Within these touchscreens lurk many pieces of technology that are so swift, they make the Mercedes A-Class feel like a junior Mercedes S-Class. The car’s augmented reality (£495 option) sat nav is also state-of-the-art. It uses a live feed from the front camera to display real-time images of what’s in front of you, while overlapping directions on top of these images.

Read our full Mercedes A-Class review

Which used Mercedes A-Class should you buy?

There's a huge range of Mercedes A-Class models on the used market so you won't be short of space. The most popular used version is the AMG Line which has pretty much all the kit you need.

What used Mercedes A-Class trim levels are available?

Mercedes trim levels can get somewhat confusing - whatever happened to L, LX and Ghia - but essentially nearly all models are AMG Line with some variant on that. The AMG Line Premium is our choice but it's important to look at what options used models come with too.

Mercedes A-Class Sport Executive

Mercedes A-Class Sport Executive models come very well equipped as the 'entry-level' model including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive high beam assist, privacy glass and the mirror package which adds electrically-folding door mirrors and automatically-dimming rear-view mirror.

On the inside you'll find snazzy 64-colour ambient lighting, heated front seats, a folding armrest in the rear, a leather-covered sports steering wheel, climate control and Artico man-made leather seats. There's also a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a reversing camera.

Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Executive

The Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Executive adds 18-inch alloy wheels and as the name suggest - AMG bodystyling. Inside, the AMG Line Executive also adds sports seats in Artico leather/black microfibre with contrasting red stitching. AMG floor mats are standard, as well as a nappa leather sports steering wheel and brushed stainless-steel sports pedals.

Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Premium

Standard equipment on the Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Premium includes illuminated door sills, two-zone climate control, MBUX augmented reality navigation, a 10-speaker sound system, Exit Warning Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Premium Plus

The Mercedes A-Class AMG Line Premium Plus comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, multibeam LED headlights with adaptive high beam assist plus and a panoramic sliding sunroof. Inside, standard equipment includes the memory package (with an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory function), a head-up display, MBUX interior assistant and a 360-degree parking camera.

Mercedes A-Class Exclusive Launch Edition

The Mercedes A-Class Exclusive Launch Edition builds on the AMG Line Premium Plus specification with 19-inch alloy wheels painted black as well as the Night package. This trim also features the Burmester surround sound stereo.