A160 Avantgarde.

Windows failed, sunroof failed, and was replaced after 3rd complaint.

Mercedes totally ruined the electrics (radio, wipers/washers) - then told me I would have to take the car to an electrician (Mercedes did resolve after a complaint).

Dash left unsecured and rattling, gear knob ruined and left un-replaced while at Mercedes for a problem.

Instrument pod failed, roll bar fixings failed (replaced).

Car scratched and radio stolen while at Mercedes for (yet another) problem - glass was left in car.

Rear lights failed.

Persistent smell of petrol, unresolved at 4th attempt.

All this in 10 month period. Don't buy one out of warranty!

I last drove a Lotus for 10 years, with nowhere near as much trouble as this Mercedes has given me in 10 months, and a 190E before that - superb, which was why I bought the A-Class.

Don't expect a decent trade in either - Mercedes offered 40% less than they sold it to me for 10 months previously.

I love the stylng, and the practicality, and the ride is comfortable and quiet. It's a great car when it's working (and should be - 20 grand for a small car is a lot of money). However, Mercedes have got serious problems if this is indicative of the build quality of their cars now.

I won't be buying another Mercedes, without some positive improvement to their service.

We have had numerous and expensive problems with our A class which we bought new 5 years ago. We are now facing another bill of possibly £2000!

I think the car design, overall concept and look is great-but am really disappointed in the reliability and problems we have experienced.

We won't be buying another!

I purchased an A class 170 with 24,000 miles on the clock from a main dealer in Nov 98. The car covers 10,000 miles PA mostly round town & has been exclusively maintained by Mercedes.

At 47,000 miles the car had to be fitted with a new clutch at a cost of £1,100. That same year the annual service & MOT cost an additional £729. Total cost for the year was £1,800

At 62,000 the gear box has failed. I am now awaiting a quote from the main dealer!!!

In between these events the annual cost of MOT, Servicing & repairing what is a low mileage vehicle has been well in excess of what the motoring magazines consider necessary for a 10,000 mileage PA vehicle.

For the record, Mercedes written response is that 'the faults are caused by driver technique, the terrain in which the vehicle is used or if the vehicle is used to pull additional weight.'

In my experience the cost of maintaining an A class is excessive & I would never recommend this model to anyone unless they have money to burn!

As a result of this extremely expensive experience I will never ever again under any circumstances buy another A class Mercedes.