Mercedes A-Class W176Hatchback2012–2018

Mercedes A-Class W176 Engines — The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the W176 hatchback — from the OM607 diesel to the M270 turbo petrols and the fire-breathing M133 in the A45 AMG. Real UK replacement costs and honest reliability data for Mercedes' first truly premium compact. Backed by 122+ real UK W176 enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED].

Explore W176 Engines
122+W176 Enquiries (2025)MB-VERIFIED
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Mercedes A-Class W176 Engine Codes — The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the W176 hatchback specifically — from the entry-level OM607 diesel to the 360bhp M133 AMG unit that redefined the hot-hatch segment.

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost
OM607.951OM607Diesel90–109 bhp2012–2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page; see Data Note]— (pattern data)£2,200–£3,800 [MB-QUOTE]
OM651.901OM651Diesel109–136 bhp2012–2014★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£2,800–£4,800 [MB-QUOTE]
OM651.930OM651Diesel177 bhp2015–2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£2,800–£4,800 [MB-QUOTE]
M270.910M270Petrol, turbo122–156 bhp2012–2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£2,500–£4,000 [MB-QUOTE]
M270.920M270Petrol, turbo211 bhp2012–2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£3,500–£6,000 [MB-QUOTE]
M133.980M133Petrol, turbo360–381 bhp2013–2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£6,500–£10,000+ [MB-QUOTE]
M133.980 (facelift)M133Petrol, turbo381 bhp2015–2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — see Data Note]— (pattern data)£6,500–£10,000+ [MB-QUOTE]
BMW 3 Series E90

Overview

Mercedes A-Class W176 — Overview

The W176 is the third-generation A-Class and the first to sit on Mercedes' new MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform, launched at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

It marked a radical departure from the tall, sandwich-platform W168 and W169 predecessors — lower, wider, and unapologetically premium. The engine range spans Renault-sourced OM607 diesels, Mercedes' own OM651 diesels, the M270 turbo-petrol fours, and the M133 AMG unit that made the A45 the world's most powerful production four-cylinder at launch. A mid-life facelift in 2015 brought revised styling and the 381bhp A45.

Key Facts

Platform

Mercedes MFA (shared with B-Class W246, CLA-Class C117)

Predecessor

W169

Successor

W177

Sibling models on this platform

B-Class (W246), CLA-Class (C117), GLA-Class (X156)

Market Intelligence

The W176 A-Class generated 122 real UK engine enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED], concentrated on the M270 petrol fours and the OM651 diesel as these cars exit manufacturer warranty.

Best & Worst Engines

OM651.901 engine

Best Diesel Overall

OM651.901

The 1.8-litre OM651 is the sweet spot in the W176 diesel range — no timing chain tensioner issues, no injector seal 'Black Death' that plagued older CDI units, and a genuine 150,000-mile-plus lifespan with routine servicing. The 2.2-litre OM651.930 in the A220 d is equally robust.

Who it's for: buyers who want a diesel without the entry-level OM607's limitations.

M270.920 (A250) engine

Best Petrol Overall

M270.920 (A250)

The 2.0-litre turbo M270 delivers 211bhp in a genuinely refined, responsive package. It's the engine that convinced the world Mercedes could do a proper premium hatchback — smooth, punchy, and without the M133's eye-watering running costs.

Who it's for: buyers who want the performance of a hot hatch without the AMG tax.

OM607.951 engine

Highest Risk

OM607.951

Renault-sourced 1.5-litre diesel. Adequate economy but feels underpowered in the W176's heavier body and lacks the OM651's refinement and durability. Injector and EGR issues are more common than on the Mercedes-built OM651.

Who it's for: budget-conscious buyers prioritising fuel economy over everything else.

M133.980 (A45 AMG) engine

Most Expensive Failure

M133.980 (A45 AMG)

When a 360–381bhp four-cylinder goes wrong, it goes wrong expensively. Turbocharger failure, high-pressure fuel pump issues, and the sheer labour intensity of working in the AMG engine bay mean replacement costs frequently hit five figures. The A45's M133 is a masterpiece — but it's a masterpiece with a maintenance bill to match.

Who it's for: buyers with deep pockets and a full AMG service history.

M270.910 (A180/A200) engine

Best Value

M270.910 (A180/A200)

The 1.6-litre turbo M270 offers genuinely good economy, adequate power (122–156bhp), and the same fundamental robustness as its 2.0-litre sibling. It's the volume engine for good reason — cheap to run, cheap to replace, and more than enough for UK roads.

Who it's for: buyers who want a premium hatchback without the premium running costs.

OM651.930 (A220 d 4MATIC) engine

Most Overlooked

OM651.930 (A220 d 4MATIC)

The 2.2-litre diesel is rare on UK roads compared to the volume OM651.901 and M270 models, but it offers 177bhp, all-wheel-drive traction, and genuine longevity. It's the W176's sleeper pick — a diesel that drives like a petrol.

Who it's for: buyers who need diesel economy with four-wheel-drive capability.

Mercedes A-Class W176 — Ownership Economics

EngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership Verdict
OM607.95160k–100kInjector/EGR issues£400–£800£2,200–£3,800
Budget Diesel — economy-focused, but feels underpowered.
OM651.90180k–150kGenerally robust£300–£600£2,800–£4,800
Best Diesel — the W176's most dependable oil-burner.
OM651.93080k–150kGenerally robust£300–£600£2,800–£4,800
Rare Gem — AWD diesel, hard to find but worth it.
M270.91080k–120kVANOS solenoids£300–£600£2,500–£4,000
Best Petrol (Value) — reliable, cheap to run.
M270.92080k–120kVANOS solenoids£300–£600£3,500–£6,000
Best Petrol (Performance) — 211bhp without AMG costs.
M133.98040k–80kTurbo/HPFP£1,500–£3,000£6,500–£10,000+
Most Expensive — AMG tax is real.

The W176 rule

A £2,800–£4,800 OM651 recon against a £6,000 W176 sits at 47–80% of the car's value. On a sub-£5,000 W176, that brushes our 70% Mercedes threshold — we'll honestly tell you to walk away. Against a well-kept £10,000+ example (particularly an A45 AMG or A250), the same recon drops to a routine 28–48% — a repair decision, not a financial one. Value the car first.

Common Problems

W176 Engine Replacement Costs — By Engine and Condition

No Generation variance from the Model Page's baseline figures — W176 hatchback shares identical engine-bay access with its W246 B-Class sibling, so costs are inherited directly per the Authority Model, with no divergence note required. M133 costs reflect AMG-specific parts and specialist labour.

Core Variants

Core Variants

Scope note: All variants listed are W176 5-door hatchback only. The related CLA-Class (C117), B-Class (W246), and GLA-Class (X156) share many of these engines but are covered on their own Generation Pages, as fitment and labour access vary by platform.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)

  1. 1.1. M270.910 (A180/A200) — volume petrol [PATTERN DATA]
  2. 2.2. OM651.901 (A180/A200 CDI) — volume diesel [PATTERN DATA]
  3. 3.3. M133.980 (A45 AMG) — high‑performance niche [PATTERN DATA]

Most Requested E90 Variants

  1. 1.1. A200
  2. 2.2. A180 CDI
  3. 3.3. A45 AMG [PATTERN DATA]

Average E90 Replacement Cost

£2,500–£6,500 reconditioned, supply only [MB-QUOTE]

Most Common E90 Failures

  1. 1.1. OM607 injector/EGR failure
  2. 2.2. M270/M133 VANOS wear
  3. 3.3. Rear subframe corrosion [PATTERN DATA]
Live Feed
VehicleLocationIssueEnquiries
Mercedes A200 W176 (M270)

Mercedes A200 W176 (M270)

London
VANOS solenoid rattle

4

enquiries

Mercedes A180 CDI W176 (OM651)

Mercedes A180 CDI W176 (OM651)

Birmingham
Pre‑purchase inspection

3

enquiries

Mercedes A45 AMG W176 (M133)

Mercedes A45 AMG W176 (M133)

Manchester
HPFP failure

2

enquiries

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FAQ

BMW 3 Series E90 rear three-quarter view

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