Buying & selling modern classics in the real world
‘Has it fallen over yet?’
Forever associated with the failed 'elk test', the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is one of those cars that will always be followed around by reputational injury. This 1999 Mercedes A160 is my second of the type and I am extremely fond of them. It is one of the great ‘blank piece of paper’ designs and no, it doesn’t fall over at the mere hint of a corner, in fact, I think it’s well worth clearing up exactly what happened before we continue.
In November 1997, a small Swedish magazine, Technische Varld, condicted a stability test with a brand new first-generation Mercedes W168 A-Class. Their ‘elk test’ caused the A-Class to roll over. The high centre of gravity of the innovative sandwich platform on which the A-Class was built, supple suspension and the soft walls of the tyres were to blame.
The reputational damage was immediate and profound. Mercedes bosses flew straight to Stockholm to see for themselves. The A-Class toppled a second time and production was immediately stopped. A team of Merc engineers then worked for three months, spending 300 million DM in the process, to make the W168 A-Class safe. The suspension was recalibrated, different tyres used and the track widened at the back. ESP also became standard in every A-Class and in any other Mercedes model range – thousands of early cars were recalled. In February 1998, journalists were invited to Barcelona to ‘elk test’ the modified A-Class for themselves. The A-Class passed.
My W168 is a 1999 car, still with the slightly plasticky interior, before Mercedes spruced it up. It’s an auto with the 1.6-litre engine and, believe it or not, it is a ULEZ refugee. The A-Class of this era, despite being an economical city car, does not pass the ULEZ emissions test. Having failed its MOT former owner Dave and Glenda Edwards offered it to me at scrap value, because that is where it was heading.
With a welded up front subframe and rebuilt rear door mechanism (a total pig of a job, I ended up cutting the door open and then welding it up again when the job was done!) I was suddenly benefitting from Dave and Glenda’s 21-year long care programme.
A big thick folder contained a full-service history from the day they bought it in 2002 and with only 82,500 miles on the clock, it drives like a new car.
If you ever get the chance, have a go in an A-Class. It’s a unique experienc
