# Mercedes EQA — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Mercedes EQA on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/mercedes-eqa

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2022
- **Ideal trim**: EQA 250 AMG Line
- **Target mileage**: 30,000–40,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £22,500

## Why this model

The Mercedes EQA is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a premium compact electric SUV. It offers that classic Mercedes luxury feel, a comfortable ride, and a decent real-world range for most daily driving and longer trips. It's well-built, packed with tech, and being an EV, it's super quiet and smooth to drive. Plus, it benefits from Mercedes' strong dealer network for servicing.

## What you should pay

The used EV market has seen some big shifts, but the EQA, being a premium badge, holds its value a bit better than some mainstream options. For a 2022 EQA 250 AMG Line with around 30-40k miles, you should aim to pay in the region of £22,000-£23,000. This is a sweet spot where the initial depreciation has settled, but you're still getting a relatively new car with plenty of battery life left. The 60kWh usable battery (liquid-cooled for better longevity) is expected to have around 91% State of Health (SoH) at 5 years, which is excellent.

## Which trim to buy

The EQA 250 AMG Line is definitely the one to go for. It strikes the perfect balance between luxury, sportiness, and value. You get all the desirable AMG styling cues inside and out, like sportier bumpers, larger wheels, and a more premium interior with better seats and finishes, without paying the significant premium for the more powerful 300 or 350 models. The 190hp from the 250 is plenty for everyday driving, and the range is identical to the higher-powered versions, making it the smart choice.

## What to check before you buy

- MBUX infotainment system can occasionally be glitchy (software updates usually resolve)
- Some owners report minor interior rattles
- Higher tyre wear due to vehicle weight and instant torque
- Occasional issues with specific public rapid chargers (less common with home charging)

## Running costs

Running an EQA is generally very cheap, especially if you can charge at home. Based on real-world efficiency of about 3.5 mi/kWh: if you're on a standard home electricity rate (around 24.5p/kWh), it'll cost you about 7.1p/mile, or roughly £710 a year for 10,000 miles. But the real saving comes with a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus, where overnight rates are around 9p/kWh. This drops your cost to about 2.6p/mile, or just £261 a year for 10,000 miles – a huge saving of £449! Road tax is free until April 2025, then it's £195 per year. Insurance will be higher than a petrol equivalent due to the car's value and technology, likely in the £600-£900 range annually depending on your personal circumstances.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 190 hp (EQA 250)
- **Mpg**: 3.5 mi/kWh
- **Reliability Score**: Good for an EV, typical Mercedes build quality
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2021)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EQA 250 Sport | £44,495 | £20,000 | 18-inch alloy wheels; LED high-performance headlights; MBUX infotainment system with 10.25-inch touchscreen |
| EQA 250 AMG Line | £45,995 | £22,500 | 19-inch AMG alloy wheels; AMG bodystyling (front apron, rear apron, side skirts); Sport seats in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre |
| EQA 300 4MATIC AMG Line | £49,495 | £25,000 | All-wheel drive (4MATIC); Increased power output (228 hp); All AMG Line features |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £22,500 | 100% |
| 2027 | £20,250 | 90% |
| 2028 | £18,427 | 81% |
| 2029 | £16,953 | 75% |
| 2030 | £15,766 | 70% |

Buying a 2022 EQA in 2026 means you're getting it after the steepest part of its depreciation curve. EVs, especially premium ones, lose a lot of value in their first few years. By buying a 3-4 year old model, you're letting someone else take that initial hit, and you'll experience a much slower rate of depreciation over your ownership period. This makes it a smart financial move for a luxury EV.

Total value lost since new: 30%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Audi Q4 e-tron](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/audi-q4-e-tron.md)
- [Hyundai IONIQ 5](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/hyundai-ioniq-5.md)
- [Kia EV6](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/kia-ev6.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.