Used Mercedes GLA cars for sale

Used Mercedes GLA pros and cons

+ Infotainment system is great

+ Interior design is stylish

+ Spacious back seats

- Similar cars have bigger boots

- Smartphone mirroring not standard

- Fake exterior bits look cheap

Is a used Mercedes GLA a good car?

The Mercedes GLA is the smallest SUV in the firm’s range – it’s based on the A-Class hatchback but has chunky SUV proportions. It has premium details to go with the jacked-up proportions, giving it high-end family car appeal.

Inside it feels very modern, with its twin-screen infotainment setup that gets Mercedes’ excellent MBUX software. You can use the touchscreen, touchpad in the centre console or voice commands to control it, and some models even get augmented reality sat-nav.

On the downside, earlier entry-level models (around 2020) didn’t get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, which is a great addition to have, so check if this is present.

If practicality is key, you might also find the GLA’s boot disappointing, because it’s a bit smaller than what you get in a BMW X1 or Audi Q3.

There’s a good range of engines, with petrol, diesels and even a plug-in hybrid available, which will provide low running costs if you can keep the batteries charged. Whatever engine you go for, the GLA feels light and easy to manoeuvre in town as well as quiet and relaxing on the motorway.

Overall, the Mercedes GLA is a smart, upmarket SUV that’s easy to drive, but it’s let down a bit by practicality.

What to look for when buying a second hand Mercedes GLA

The second generation Mercedes GLA hasn’t been on sale too long so it’s difficult to give a definitive view of its reliability. However, its predecessor had a fairly average reputation for reliability, with one of the main complaints being that repairs can be pricey. That’s one of the problems with buying any premium car.

Looking at the old model, there are very few recurring issues, but rather a wide variety of smaller problems cropping up. Many of these relate to the engine and the electrics, though, so when testing a car make sure to look out for any warning lights on the dashboard.

You should also test drive the car and if there are any signs of the engine struggling to make power, you’re better off walking away.

Otherwise, just do all the usual used car checks, such as looking over the bodywork and interior for damage as well as the alloy wheels. Also look for cars that have a good service history and a clear MOT history.

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