Skip advert
Advertisement

Used Mercedes CLA (Mk1, 2013-2019) review - What do owners think? 

Mercedes continues to slide down our Driver Power satisfaction survey’s makers’ chart, although the CLA scores on safety kit

The Mk1 CLA didn’t feature in our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but the platform- sharing A-Class Mk3 appeared in the 2017 and 2018 New Car surveys, placing 69th and 56th respectively. It scored well for its exterior fit and finish, with the only other top 50 scores for running costs and reliability. All other scores, from safety and practicality to engines and infotainment, are outside of the top 50.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In the latest 2021 Driver Power survey, the Mercedes A-Class finished 23rd out of 75 cars, although it’s worth noting that in the vast majority of cases the results are based on the current A-Class.

Reliability

Mercedes has been performing better since the Mk1 CLA went out of production. In the 2021 Driver Power survey of manufacturers, Mercedes ranked 13th out of 29, so while there’s still room for improvement, the result places the company higher than BMW (21st) and Audi (23rd). 

Overall, perceived quality is very high, but some cost-cutting is evident up close, especially on the inside. There’s an element of ‘paying for the badge’, but the CLA remains a premium product.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,308 off RRP*Used from £10,849
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,581 off RRP*Used from £10,995
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,266 off RRP*Used from £13,200
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,128 off RRP*Used from £25,350
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

EV charging gets 10% cheaper and there’s more to come
Rapid charging Fiat 500

EV charging gets 10% cheaper and there’s more to come

Ultra-rapid chargers in December were five pence cheaper than they were in November for off-peak users, with a cut in VAT also on the cards
News
22 Jan 2026
Cars that changed the world: the 50 most important and influential modern motors
Cars that changed the world: the 50 most important and influential modern motors

Cars that changed the world: the 50 most important and influential modern motors

The automotive landscape has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. To celebrate, we name the 50 models that we think illustrate the transformat…
Best cars & vans
23 Jan 2026
Audi Q3 vs Cupra Formentor: premium meets sporty in SUV battle
Audi Q3 vs Cupra Formentor - front tracking

Audi Q3 vs Cupra Formentor: premium meets sporty in SUV battle

Audi’s new Mk3 Q3 faces stiff competition from within the VW Group. How does it fare against Cupra’s Formentor?
Car group tests
24 Jan 2026