Item: Used Mercedes GLA 2014-2020
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/estate/used-review/n843">Audi Q3</a> is a more complete and appealing car than most of its rivals. It has a high-quality interior and an easy-to-use rotary controller for its infotainment system. It’s compact, easy to drive and should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a used small SUV.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x1/estate/used-review/n812">BMW X1</a> is a spacious and practical car with a high-quality interior, fine handling and a great infotainment system. Its ride is rather firm, but if you can put up with that, it’s a classy and desirable compact SUV that makes a sound alternative to the Q3.

<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here</a>

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mercedes-benz/gla?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used GLA,</a> or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3>Engine failure</h3>

The&nbsp;camshaft can fail on certain petrol engines in examples built between 16 July 2015 and 11 September 2015. Any affected car will need a new camshaft fitted by a dealer to rectify this.

<h3>Front passenger airbag&nbsp;</h3>

In some cars made between&nbsp;8 September 2014 and 7 November 2014&nbsp;and between 1 August 2016 and 31 March 2017, the front passenger airbag might not deploy correctly in a&nbsp;collision. Speak with a dealer to find out if your car is affected, because it will either need to have the fuses for the system changed if it's the earlier recall&nbsp;or a whole&nbsp;new airbag unit if it's involved in the later one.

<h3>Window airbags</h3>

An issue with cars built between 1 August 2016 and 31 March 2017 means that the window airbags might not deploy in a collision. A dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and replace these airbags.

<h3>Risk of fire</h3>

The high-pressure fuel lines on some cars made between 28 October 2015 and 19 November 2015 could crack over time and allow fuel to leak into the engine bay. In extreme circumstances, this could result in a fire. Any car affected by this recall will need to have new fuel lines fitted.

<h3>Oil leak</h3>

Certain diesel models manufactured between 1 February 2014 and 30 November 2014 have been found to suffer with a faulty oil seal&nbsp;that can result in a leak. If unchecked, the engine could be damaged by a lack of oil. A dealer will be able to let you know if your car needs to have a new seal fitted to solve the problem.

<h3>Engine may stall</h3>

A faulty engine part on cars made between 1 October 2015 and 31 November 2015 could cause the car to go into limp home mode or for the engine to cut out completely. A new part will need to be fitted to examples involved in this recall to prevent this from happening.

<h3>Overheating starter motor&nbsp;</h3>

In the unlikely event the engine seizes up, the starter motor of cars built between 1 February 2014 and 28 February 2017 could overheat while repeatedly trying to start the engine. Speak with a dealer to find out if your vehicle is affected by this, because it will need an additional fuse added to prevent this from happening.

<h3>Vacuum lines</h3>

The vacuum lines going to the brake booster of vehicles assembled in the first year of production have been found to break, resulting in a loss of boost pressure after a couple of brake applications. Cars affected by this will need to have a more durable line fitted to stop this from happening.

<h3>NOx recall</h3>

All diesel models&nbsp;were subject to a voluntary recall in 2017 to apply software updates that aimed to&nbsp;reduce NOx emissions on any engine made before 2015. Contact a&nbsp;dealer to find out if your car has already had this work carried out;&nbsp;if not, book your car in to have it sorted.

According to our most recent reliability survey, the GLA finished in third place&nbsp;in the family SUVs class&nbsp;in a group of 31. Mercedes&nbsp;as a brand alas finished in a disappointing 26th&nbsp;place out of 31&nbsp;manufacturers.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798"> What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.

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Hatchback

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The first-generation GLA looks appealing, and it's&nbsp;a fairly cheap used buy, but some rivals are better to drive

Used Mercedes GLA 2014-present

Unsurprisingly, it’s the entry-level diesel, the 200d, that’s the most economical, with an official average of 67.3mpg, under the older NEDC tests, and 119g/km of CO2. The&nbsp;four-wheel-drive 220d manages a claimed 55.4mpg and 132g/km (in some trims), while the petrol models languish a little behind, with the best being the&nbsp;200 at a claimed 47.1mpg and 138g/km, the worst the AMG GLA 45 with 38.2mpg and 172g/km. The 180 petrol that was introduced in 2018 would appear&nbsp;to get worse fuel economy than the more powerful 200, at 40.4mpg, but that's because it was certified on the tougher WLTP test, rather than the old NEDC one.

Road tax will depend upon how much CO2 your GLA officially emits if it was&nbsp;registered before 1 April 2017, but&nbsp;you'll need to pay the current&nbsp;flat-rate fee for anything registered after this point. This currently stands at £150 a year. Find out more about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs here</a>.

Insurance costs are on the high side, with groups ranging from 21 up to 42 for AMG GLA 45. Servicing costs can be expensive, as can replacement parts. For example, if you were to pay up front for&nbsp;two services, it would cost you £816 or £45.33 per month over 18 months. The same number of services for an equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/estate/used-review/n843">Audi Q3</a> will cost a mere £480 or £26.67 per month in comparison.

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Used Mercedes GLA 2014-2020

The first-gen Mercedes GLA looks appealing, and it's a good used buy, but some rivals are better to drive

Just under&nbsp;£11,000 is the current starting point for a GLA, this for a 2014 car that has done plenty of miles. We'd suggest spending £12,000 or more for something with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from an independent dealer, from 2014 or 2015. Up the dosh to between £13,000 and £15,000 and you draw in 2016&nbsp;cars&nbsp;with the same criteria as above, while £16,000 to £20,000 will get you a 2018 or 2019 car, or for not much more one of the last 2020 cars, bought&nbsp;from an independent dealer.

Check the value of a used Mercedes GLA&nbsp;with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">What Car? Valuations</a>

Diesel buyers have a choice between two 2.1-litre engines, badged&nbsp;200d and&nbsp;220d. The former produces 134bhp and is our favourite, mostly thanks to its low running costs. It's a bit slower than equivalent rivals but is flexible enough to satisfy most drivers. The 168bhp latter is noticeably punchier and comes with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Petrol options include a 1.6-litre and two&nbsp;2.0-litre engines, badged 180,&nbsp;200 and&nbsp;250. The 118bhp 180 is a bit slow, making the&nbsp;154bhp 200 a much better bet, thanks to brisk-enough performance, although you have to rev it quite hard to get the best from it. This engine came with&nbsp;a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive as standard&nbsp;but could be specified&nbsp;with an&nbsp;automatic 'box. If you need&nbsp;four-wheel-drive with a petrol engine, go for the 250. It's more rapid but not as fun as you might hope, given its hefty price.

Standard equipment is often&nbsp;better on entry-level SE trim than on most equivalent rivals, and we see&nbsp;no point in spending more for pricier versions.

Our favourite Mercedes-Benz GLA: 200d SE

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

The Seat Ateca and&nbsp;Skoda Karoq should definitely be on your shortlist. But if you have a bit more to spend,&nbsp;the Range Rover Evoque is another strong option. If money is a concern, then the Dacia Duster provides comfortable, spacious and well-equipped transportation for an affordable price.

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Family SUV

Despite the GLA's rugged bodywork, it’s still a good idea to check its extremities for scuffs. It’s unlikely to have been used off road, even the four-wheel drive versions, but it's worth a cursory glance at the undersides just to make sure there’s no damage there. Also check the alloy wheels for any kerb damage.

Inspect the interior for any damaged leather or scuffed plastics. Also&nbsp;make sure all the electrics work as they should.

Take a regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/family">family hatchback</a>, raise it up a little, add some beefy bodywork and voilà, you have a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/family-suv">family&nbsp;SUV</a>. It’s a simple enough formula, but it has&nbsp;been going down a treat for a long time, so much so that&nbsp;even premium manufacturers like <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes-Benz</a>&nbsp;are on this&nbsp;lucrative bandwagon.

The GLA was Mercedes’ first family&nbsp;SUV and it was&nbsp;based upon the underpinnings of the old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/used-review/n965">A-Class</a>. It may look more substantial than the equivalent A-Class, but in fact it’s no longer, no wider and only 59mm taller. It ran successfully from 2014 to 2020, when it was replaced by an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gla/hatchback/review/n17173">all-new second-generation car</a>. Buyers loved its practicality, ease of use and of course that premium badge, and its competitive pricing sealed the deal for many.&nbsp;

It uses the same&nbsp;engines, too.&nbsp;The concise four-cylinder engine line-up kicks off with a 118bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol&nbsp;(badged GLA 180), followed by a 154bhp version of the same engine in the 200. A 211bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre comes in the 250. There are a couple of different power outputs for the 2.1-litre diesel: 134bhp in the 200d and 168bhp in the four-wheel-drive 220d. Most of these engines prove punchy if not terribly refined.&nbsp;For speed freaks, there’s also a 375bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged beast in the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45.

All apart from the 200 are available with Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel-drive system, which brings with it the otherwise optional seven-speed&nbsp;dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Front-wheel-drive models get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

As for the standard equipment, there are three trim levels on offer: SE, Sport and AMG Line. Entry-level kit includes 17in alloy wheels, active brake assist and off-road suspension set-up on the outside as standard, while inside there is a leather upholstery, reversing camera, extensive cubbyholes, air conditioning, and Mercedes' Audio 20 infotainment system. The mid-range Sport models gain bigger alloys, aluminium roof rails, privacy glass, automatic wipers, climate control and an 8.0in infotainment display.

The range-topping AMG Line trim adorns your GLA with 19in alloy wheels, run-flat tyres, stainless steel pedals and leather sports seats.&nbsp;Those intent on the GLA 45&nbsp;will find an AMG-tweaked exhaust and braking systems, folding mirrors, bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors on the outside along with an aggressive bodykit. Inside there are plenty of AMG badging and decals, Garmin-powered sat-nav and heated Performance sports front seats.

On the road, the GLA's steering is a little vague, and although it finds reasonable grip, its&nbsp;handling generally doesn’t inspire great confidence or enthusiasm. On top of that, its ride is a little fidgety, bordering on uncomfortable over broken surfaces.

Things get better inside, though, thanks to plush-feeling materials and comfortable seats. All GLAs get plenty of standard kit, too, although space in the rear isn't as generous as you might expect: six-footers will find themselves cramped.&nbsp;You can just about sit two adults in the rear behind two adults in the front – but no more comfortably than in most compact cars. The rear seat backs split and fold 70/30 and, if you spec the appropriate option (not fitted on our car), even adjust the rear seat back angle, freeing up an additional 60 litres of boot space.

The boot itself is a competitive 421 litres with the rear seats in place, rising to 836 litres if you sling them forwards.&nbsp;

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mercedes-benz/gla?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used GLA,</a> or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Used Mercedes GLA 2014-2020 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Mercedes GLA-Class hatchback?