Based on the GLA, the Mercedes-Benz EQA is the brand’s smallest electric SUV, available in the UK since spring 2021. It is comfortable, quiet and well finished rather than efficient. Used prices have dropped to Ford Focus territory: a 2021 EQA 250 is advertised for around £18,000, against £43,495 new. The version to look for is the EQA 250+, which has the larger battery. This guide explains the versions, realistic range, recalls, owners’ experiences and prices you can expect to pay. There’s a print-out checklist at the end.
- The EQA 250+ is the one to buy: priced in the same bracket as a 250 of equivalent age, but offering more range.
- A 2021–2022 EQA 250 at under £19,000 buys plenty of premium car for your money, provided the range meets your needs.
- The 4MATICs add all-wheel drive and pace, not range.
- Check two software recalls are done: battery management and steering.
Which EQA is which?
| Version | Adverts from | Battery | Power / drive | Official range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQA 250 | 2021 | 66.5 kWh | 140 kW FWD | up to 263 miles WLTP |
| EQA 250+ | 2022 | 70.5 kWh | 140 kW FWD | up to 345 miles WLTP (updated car) |
| EQA 300 4MATIC | 2021 | 66.5 kWh | 168 kW AWD | up to 264 miles WLTP |
| EQA 350 4MATIC | 2021 | 66.5 kWh | 215 kW AWD | up to 264 miles WLTP |
Orders for the Mercedes EQA 250 opened in February 2021, priced at £43,495 before the grant (£44,995 for AMG Line), with first deliveries that spring, followed by the EQA 300 4MATIC (£48,495) and 350 4MATIC (£49,995) in May 2021. All EQAs support up to 11 kW AC charging and 100 kW rapid charging; Mercedes quoted 10–80% in around 40 minutes. The EQA 250+, with its 70.5 kWh battery, appears in adverts from 2022 and accounts for most newer examples on sale. The late 2023 update, delivered from early 2024, added a light-bar grille, twin 10.25-inch screens and extra range. Sport and AMG Line are the trims, with Premium and Premium Plus packs available. See the EQA page for full specs.
Realistic range
Our estimates use a typical car and the battery-ageing model applied throughout the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 EQA 250 | 200 miles | 176 miles | 148 miles |
| 2023 EQA 250+ | 273 miles | 240 miles | 202 miles |
| 2022 EQA 300 4MATIC | 205 miles | 181 miles | 152 miles |
Summer results are often better: owners report around 3.5–4.5 miles per kWh in mild weather, taking many EQA 250s to their official range or beyond in summer. Owners report roughly 200 miles or less in winter. Several owners distrust the car’s range display. Owners also report that rapid charging maintains a high rate through much of the charge.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Chemistry-based estimate. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
Warranty
The high-voltage battery carries a separate warranty lasting longer than the rest of the car’s cover. Ask a Mercedes dealer to confirm the remaining time and mileage on the particular car, and establish what an approved-used warranty adds.
Recalls: check these are done
- Steering software (R/2024/166): affecting a steering-software backup function on 17,718 EQAs built between October 2020 and January 2024.
- Battery management software (R/2025/106): on 5,803 EQAs built from September 2021 to July 2024.
- Brake caliper bolting prompted a recall for a small number of early cars (R/2022/062).
Recall work is free. Enter the registration on GOV.UK’s recall checker and ask the seller for proof the work was done.
What owners report
We reviewed 17 owner discussions and owner reviews. These accounts reflect owners’ experiences, not manufacturer data:
- A proper Mercedes. Owners value the build quality, quietness and comfort, particularly the front seats, alongside the relaxed D Auto regeneration setting.
- No charge scheduling in the car. The leading complaint is the lack of charging timers in the EQA itself. Using cheap night tariffs requires a smart home charger or the tariff’s app.
- Small boot and tight rear legroom for tall passengers, because of the raised floor.
- On 2024 updated cars, owners describe reversing cameras repeatedly popping out at low speed and tailgates opening by themselves. They say dealers have not resolved these issues, so check both behaviours during your test drive.
- Some owners find the driver-assistance alerts intrusive; the front-wheel-drive 250 can spin its wheels when pushed.
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the EQA five stars, using its 2019 assessments of the closely related GLA and B-Class, supplemented by tests where necessary: 97% for adult occupant protection, 90% for child occupants, 81% for vulnerable road users and 75% for safety assist. The rating has since expired.
What to pay
Most used EQAs are the 250 or 250+, so the table groups cars by version and registration year. It excludes groups containing fewer than seven examples:
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQA 250, 2021 | 17% | £18,000 | £15,449–£20,297 | 37,750 |
| EQA 250, 2022 | 10% | £18,650 | £16,278–£20,488 | 44,200 |
| EQA 250+, 2022 | 7% | £19,950 | £16,129–£21,059 | 42,500 |
| EQA 250+, 2023 | 13% | £21,900 | £19,083–£23,718 | 36,450 |
| EQA 250+, 2024 | 10% | £27,555 | £23,865–£30,167 | 16,200 |
| EQA 250+, 2025 | 10% | £29,725 | £25,797–£32,455 | 10,300 |
| EQA 300 4MATIC, 2022 | 6% | £20,750 | £17,263–£22,617 | 32,900 |
| EQA 300 4MATIC, 2023 | 8% | £23,065 | £20,178–£25,995 | 23,300 |
| EQA 300 4MATIC, 2024 | 3% | £25,450 | £22,309–£28,640 | 12,960 |
| EQA 350 4MATIC, 2022 | 4% | £17,040 | £15,110–£22,300 | 63,000 |
| EQA 350 4MATIC, 2023 | 4% | £22,485 | £19,895–£23,799 | 30,550 |
| EQA 350 4MATIC, 2024 | 3% | £27,000 | £23,363–£31,199 | 18,900 |
These are asking prices rather than valuations. Values have fallen sharply: 2021–2022 cars are advertised well below half their list price. A 250+ asks only around £1,000–£1,500 more than a 250 from the same year, making it the better buy. Asking prices for 4MATICs are similar to an equivalent-year 250+, although high-mileage 2022 350s are cheaper. Around 3% of listings are Cat S or N write-offs, so always obtain a history check.
Questions to ask the seller
- Which version (250, 250+, 300 or 350) and which packs?
- When was this EQA first registered, and can the seller document any remaining battery warranty cover?
- Have the steering and battery software recalls been done?
- Can the seller provide the Mercedes service history and invoices for any additional maintenance?
- Are both keys and the charging cables supplied with this EQA, and can the seller demonstrate that they work?
The print-out checklist
Bring this checklist along for the EQA-specific checks; our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks that apply to any used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- BMW iX1: the obvious premium rival, more efficient. Read our used iX1 guide.
- Volvo XC40 Recharge: similar size and money used. Read our used XC40 Recharge guide.
- Audi Q4 e-tron: roomier, with more range. Read our used Q4 e-tron guide.
Not sure it covers your driving? The EV Matchmaker checks a car against your own week, and the Used EV Finder shows what else your budget buys.
Sources & further reading
- Mercedes-Benz UK – EQA now available to order (February 2021)
- Mercedes-Benz UK – EQA 300 and 350 4MATIC (May 2021)
- Mercedes-Benz – EQA and EQB upgraded (September 2023)
- Euro NCAP – Mercedes-Benz EQA
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
