The MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS (1998-04) A140 5DR HATCHBACK 1.4 ELEGANCE AUTO is a compact five-door petrol hatchback, offering a small-car footprint with Mercedes-Benz’s more upmarket image. In the UK it sits between ordinary city cars and premium family hatchbacks: easy to place in town, yet with a useful, tall cabin and automatic convenience. mycarcheck.com usage gives a modest but useful snapshot: 13 checks covered 12 different VINs. Recorded cars averaged 70,000 miles, about 8,000 miles a year, and nearly five previous keepers. The average private-sale valuation was £400, a figure to treat as a guide rather than a current offer, since condition and history matter greatly on a car of this age. An A140 Elegance automatic can suit commuters, drivers and downsizers wanting town trips and a premium badge. Its space-conscious design is distinctive beside Polo or Clio rivals, though buyers should check maintenance, rust and gearbox operation before purchase.