WA69UTP identifies a 2019 Mercedes-Benz A 180 AMG Line Premium + D Automatic registered in the UK between September 2019 and February 2020. This specific vehicle features a 1461cc diesel engine, produces approximately 110 g/km of CO₂ emissions, and meets Euro 6 emission standards, making it ULEZ compliant for London’s clean air zones.
People search this registration for several reasons: verifying a vehicle before purchase, checking ULEZ compliance status, looking up MOT history, or researching ownership costs. Whether you’re considering buying this specific car or simply want to understand what a UK registration reveals, this guide breaks down what WA69UTP tells you and what it means for ownership in 2025.
What WA69UTP Tells You About This Vehicle
UK registration plates follow a specific format that reveals vehicle age. The “69” in WA69UTP indicates registration between September 2019 and February 2020 (the second registration period of 2019). The letters “WA” identify the regional DVLA office in Exeter where this vehicle was first registered.
This particular registration belongs to a Mercedes-Benz A 180 AMG Line Premium + D Automatic. The “D” designation confirms diesel power, while “AMG Line Premium +” indicates this sits near the top of the A-Class trim hierarchy. You get the aggressive AMG styling package, upgraded interior materials, enhanced technology features, and additional comfort equipment beyond the standard AMG Line.
The registration itself stays with the vehicle throughout its life unless the owner applies to transfer or retain it. Checking WA69UTP through official channels confirms the vehicle’s make, model, color (white), fuel type, and current tax status.
Technical Specifications That Matter
The Mercedes A 180 D uses a 1461cc four-cylinder diesel engine producing around 116 PS (114 bhp). Power reaches the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This configuration delivers smooth acceleration adequate for daily driving without feeling underpowered in most situations.
Mercedes claimed a combined fuel economy of approximately 62-65 mpg under the older NEDC testing cycle. Real-world figures typically land between 50-55 mpg with mixed driving, dropping to 40-45 mpg in heavy urban traffic. Motorway cruising at 70 mph should return close to 60 mpg with a light right foot.
The CO₂ output of roughly 110 g/km places this vehicle in a favorable road tax band while meeting Euro 6d emission standards. This generation of Mercedes diesel engines received the company’s latest emission control technology, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and AdBlue injection to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Performance feels adequate rather than exciting. The 0-62 mph sprint takes about 10.5 seconds, which works fine for merging and overtaking on A-roads. The engine pulls strongest between 1,500-3,000 rpm, where most daily driving occurs.
ULEZ Compliance and Clean Air Zone Access
WA69UTP meets Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements for London. Euro 6 diesel vehicles can enter ULEZ areas without paying the £12.50 daily charge. This compliance matters significantly if you drive in Greater London regularly or plan to visit central areas.
The current ULEZ boundary extends to the North Circular (A406) and South Circular (A205) roads. Transport for London expanded these limits in August 2023, affecting millions more drivers. Checking ULEZ compliance before buying any used diesel prevents unexpected charges that quickly add up.
Beyond London, several UK cities now operate or plan clean air zones:
- Birmingham charges non-compliant vehicles
- Bristol, Manchester, and Portsmouth have active zones
- Bradford, Sheffield, and other cities are implementing schemes
Euro 6 diesel vehicles like WA69UTP typically gain free access to these zones, though each city sets its own rules. Always verify local requirements before assuming compliance.
Future Considerations for Diesel Owners
The UK government plans to ban new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035. This target doesn’t affect used vehicles, but it signals long-term policy direction. Diesel cars face increasing scrutiny and potential local restrictions in the coming years.
Resale values for diesel vehicles have declined faster than petrol equivalents since 2018. This trend will likely continue as buyers prefer petrol, hybrid, or electric options. Plan on keeping WA69UTP for several years rather than flipping it quickly, or factor in steeper depreciation when calculating costs.
Diesel makes sense if you drive over 15,000 miles annually, do regular motorway journeys, or need maximum fuel economy. For urban driving under 10,000 miles yearly, petrol or hybrid alternatives often work better both financially and practically.
Actual Ownership Costs Breakdown
Road tax for WA69UTP costs £195 annually based on its CO₂ emissions band. This rate applies from the second year of registration onward. First-year rates were higher but don’t affect you as a subsequent owner.
Insurance groups for the A 180 D AMG Line typically range between 18E-22E, depending on exact specifications. A 35-year-old driver with a clean history and home parking might pay £400-600 annually for comprehensive cover. Younger drivers or those in urban areas face significantly higher premiums, often £1,200-1,800 for under-25s.
Mercedes service intervals occur every 12 months or 15,500 miles, whichever comes first. A standard service runs £250-350 at an independent specialist, while main dealer pricing reaches £350-500. Major services, including additional items, occur every two years and cost £450-700.
AdBlue top-ups happen every 6,000-8,000 miles and cost £10-15 for a 10-liter container. Most owners handle this themselves rather than paying dealer rates.
Tires for 18-inch AMG wheels cost £120-160 each for quality brands. Budget £500-650 for a full set, including fitting and balancing. These wheels look sharp, but increase replacement costs compared to smaller sizes.
Add another £200-300 yearly for unexpected repairs. Common issues include EGR valve problems (£400-600 to fix), dual-clutch transmission servicing (£300-400 every 40,000 miles), and various electrical gremlins typical of this generation Mercedes.
Total annual running costs: approximately £2,500-3,200 excluding fuel, depreciation, and finance charges.
How to Verify Any UK Vehicle Registration
Start with the free DVLA vehicle tax and SORN check at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Enter the registration to confirm:
- Make and model match seller claims
- Vehicle remains taxed (if required)
- Color matches what you’re viewing
- Current MOT status
Check MOT history at gov.uk/check-mot-history. This reveals:
- Mileage recorded at each test
- Advisories noted by testers
- Pass/fail dates and reasons
- Odometer tampering indicators
Look for consistent mileage increases. A car showing 45,000 miles at the 2022 MOT shouldn’t display 38,000 miles at the 2023 test. Declining mileage suggests clocking.
Review advisory notes carefully. Recurring issues like oil leaks, suspension wear, or brake problems indicate neglected maintenance. Multiple advisories that later become failures suggest the owner ignored warnings.
Free checks provide basic information but miss critical details. Paid services like HPI, RAC Vehicle Check, or AA Vehicle Data Check (£10-20) reveal:
- Outstanding finance agreements
- Written-off (Cat S/N/D) status
- Stolen vehicle markers
- Number of previous owners
- Original registration date
Red Flags to Watch During Purchase
Walk away if:
- Mileage doesn’t match MOT records
- Seller avoids questions about service history
- Recent advisories show serious issues now “fixed”
- Vehicle appears in the MOT database with different colors
- Seller refuses independent inspection
Request full service records. Mercedes ownership typically includes digital service history accessible through the car’s system or the Mercedes me app. Missing services or gaps longer than 18 months suggest poor maintenance.
Check for AdBlue system faults. These plague some diesel Mercedes models and cost £1,000+ to repair properly. Warning lights, unusual smells, or power loss indicate problems.
Test the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission thoroughly. It should shift smoothly without jerking, hesitation, or clunking. Rough shifts when cold that improve when warm might seem normal, but signal wear.
Is This Mercedes Worth Buying in 2025?
A 2019 Mercedes A 180 D AMG Line Premium + originally sold for £32,000-35,000 depending on options. Today, clean examples with average mileage (40,000-50,000 miles) trade for £15,000-18,000. That represents 45-50% depreciation over five years.
Depreciation will slow but continue. Expect this vehicle to reach £12,000-14,000 by 2027 and £9,000-11,000 by 2029. Diesel depreciation typically runs 5-10 percentage points faster than equivalent petrol models.
Compare this diesel against:
- Mercedes A 180 petrol (similar spec): £17,000-20,000, slower depreciation
- BMW 118i M Sport: £16,000-19,000, slightly better reliability reputation
- Audi A3 35 TFSI S Line: £17,000-19,500, more conservative styling
The diesel makes financial sense only if you drive enough miles to offset fuel savings against steeper depreciation. Break-even occurs around 12,000-15,000 miles annually. Below that threshold, petrol costs less overall despite higher fuel consumption.
This generation A-Class brought Mercedes’ interior quality closer to Audi and BMW standards. The MBUX infotainment system works well, the dashboard feels premium, and the build quality exceeds previous A-Class models. The AMG Line Premium + adds Artico leather, ambient lighting, an upgraded sound system, and additional driver aids.
Common reliability concerns include EGR valve failures (£400-600), dual-clutch transmission quirks (expensive to fix), and occasional software glitches requiring dealer updates. The 1.5-liter diesel engine itself proves reasonably robust with proper maintenance.
Who Should Consider WA69UTP or Similar Vehicles
This Mercedes suits drivers who:
- Cover 12,000+ miles annually, mostly on motorways or A-roads
- Want a premium badge appeal without new car pricing
- Need ULEZ compliance for London travel
- Value technology features and interior quality
- Can handle or afford the main dealer maintenance costs
Skip this vehicle if you:
- Drive mainly in cities with under 10,000 annual miles
- Want the lowest possible running costs (Japanese alternatives win)
- Need absolute reliability (Toyota/Lexus is more dependable)
- Plan to keep the car under three years (depreciation hurts)
- Cannot budget £200-300 monthly for unexpected repairs
The AMG Line Premium + trim delivers strong equipment levels, including adaptive LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, a reversing camera, and parking sensors. You’re buying near-flagship A-Class spec at significant savings versus new.
Verify that the specific vehicle’s condition matters more than the registration number. WA69UTP simply identifies one Mercedes among thousands of similar 2019 models. Use this information as a starting point for research, then inspect, test drive, and verify history before committing.
Check the MOT database for this exact registration before viewing. Review its service history thoroughly. Factor realistic running costs into your budget. If the numbers work and the car checks out mechanically, this represents solid value in the premium compact segment despite diesel’s declining popularity.