1998 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 160ACS Elegance review from UK and Ireland

One week in to ownership and the rear suspension needed rebuilding to stop knocking as indeed it did again after 6 months.

A month in and the steering mechanism needed rebuilding to stop wandering and knocking. The main dealer required three attempts to center the steering wheel.

It’s been back to Mercedes to cure a shifting driver’s seat countless times and had two new seat frames fitted.

I got the car back from a minor (should have been a major one) service (£180 for oil, filter & plugs 1.5hrs at £70p/hr in rural N Wales!) with a new splutter fault, which required another trip to the dealer and a new engine management chip.

Cabin rattles and squeaks too numerous to list.

This car spent a total of over 6 weeks at the dealership being repaired in a 9 month period.

Expect 35mpg.

Good acceleration.

Excellent handling, but ride is harsh and requires your full attention, highly susceptible to cross winds.

Tyres wear quickly and are low profile and expensive.

Extremely poor dealership/customer relations resulting in p/ex for a Ford and a £2000 loss on a £10000 used car in 9 months.

My advice to potential buyers - don't buy a baby Benz, they're a pain made worse by arrogant and indifferent dealership customer relations for those not spending enough.