The Mercedes premium means that parts, servicing, maintenance, and everything else remotely related to looking after a Merc usually cost more than something like a Ford or Hyundai. You can expect to fall off your chair when a Mercedes shop lets you know the price of a new bumper without even spraying it.

However, the A-Class is something of an exception, with similar maintenance costs to less premium brands like Volkswagen due to sharing components with many other models in the Mercedes range, keeping supply relatively high.

That’s not to say an A-Class is as cheap to maintain as a Ford Focus – far from it. Parts, bodywork like bumpers and lights, and servicing cost 20-40% more. But it’s considerably less than a Mercedes S Class and won’t break the bank.

Mercedes A Class part prices

Mercedes A Class front bumpers are on par with rivals like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series for price, so they are reasonable in our eyes.

You can expect to pay £210 to £300 for a Mercedes A Class front bumper with or without a grille and the same for a rear bumper.

The good news is these prices are for painted used bumpers, so if you find one in excellent condition, you have a simple refit on the cards.

Mercedes headlights are more expensive, pushing £500 for bi-xenon headlights and £220 for standard halogen headlights in lower-spec models. We expect to see prices climb in 2024 due to shortages in lighting components.

Mercedes A Class maintenance costs

Expect to pay around £350 for a minor service and over £400 for a major service. To help budget these expenses, Mercedes offers service plans starting from £28 per month, which provide a 10-15% discount compared to paying for each service individually.

A way to reduce maintenance costs is to go to an independent Mercedes specialist instead of the official dealer. Independent garages perform the same genuine services for £100 or so less on minor and major servicing.

An even cheaper option is taking your A-Class to any old garage or even a Kwik-Fit, but we don’t recommend it – it’s best to keep a Mercedes stamp in your book to make your A-Class more desirable when it comes time to sell.

Used part shortages and inflation

New car production is being hampered by shortages of semiconductors and other components, creating greater demand for used and aftermarket parts. This has driven up prices significantly - for example, a used instrument cluster for a 2015 A Class that once cost £250 may now sell for £450 or more due to scarcity.

A lack of new part inventory also means Mercedes dealerships and independent repair shops are turning to the used market. However, buyers face inflated prices and long wait times to source used parts due to supply and demand.

Additionally, Mercedes and other automakers have been forced to cut production of current model-year vehicles. So, the supply of new OEM parts that generally get recycled into the used market is reduced. All these factors combine to create parts shortages and higher prices for in-demand models like the A-Class.