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What to look for
If you're buying privately, it's worth paying for a professional inspection. Pre-facelift cars are far less desirable due to their cheap, plasticky interiors.Your first check on any A-Class should be for noise when the wheels are on full lock, because the power-assisted steering pump can fail. The ignition system also plays up, leading to erratic running - there could be electronic faults if the revs fluctuate at tickover.
Alternatives?
the A-Class has few direct rivals. The Audi A2 is perhaps the closest in terms of image, but is smaller than the Mercedes. Then there are more traditional models, such as the VW Golf, which is good to drive, well built and comes with a wide choice of engines.The closest in terms of concept are the latest generation of super-sized super-minis. We'd certainly give the Honda Jazz a close look on account of its practical cabin and reliability.
How much?
Trim levels run from the entry-level Classic to mid-range Elegance and flagship Avantgarde. Early 100,000-mile A140s and A160s can be picked up privately for as little as £2,000, or £2,500 from dealers. The more desirable facelifted cars start at around £4,500. That's enough for a 60,000-mile A140 Classic from a garage - you'll pay £3,700 in a private sale.
Diesel models are more expensive, and you'll part with at least £5,000 for a new-version A170 CDI, while a last-of-line automatic Avantgarde will cost up to £10,000. Long-wheelbase cars are worth £400 more than ordinary models.
Running costs
First-generation A-Classes are equipped with a service assist system, which calculates when maintenance is due. Depending on how it's driven, this is usually between 10,000 and 16,000 miles, or a maximum of two years. There are two levels of service, and the car decides which is needed.
An A service will cost around £175, while a B is likely to set you back in the range of £300-£350. On top of these prices, spark plugs need renewing every four years, usually for an outlay of £100. The brake fluid also has to be renewed every two years, while fresh air and fuel filters are required at four-year intervals or 50,000 miles, at around £165.
Reader review
Amy Manderson, from Gloucester, bought her 2001 A160 Classic four years ago. "I like the raised seating position, but I'm less keen on the firm ride, and the interior is also a mixed bag," she says.
"It might be plasticky, but the flexible seating layout is great. The A-Class is OK to drive, but running costs are high. The Mercedes dealer is so expensive that I don't use it any more. Now my car's worth only £4,500, I use an independent specialist instead."
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