Second Hand Mercedes-Benz GLA Ignition Switch

The Mercedes-Benz GLA (both the X156 generation from 2013 and the H247 generation from 2020) does not use a traditional ignition switch in the sense of a barrel you turn with a key. All GLA models use a push-button start system with a keyless entry fob, meaning there is no conventional ignition switch to replace. If your start system is faulty, the part you are likely looking for is the start/stop button, the steering column EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) module, or the key reader unit, and your breaker can advise which component matches your specific fault.

On the GLA, the function of a traditional ignition switch is handled electronically by the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) unit built into the steering column, which communicates with your key fob and the car's immobiliser system. The physical push-button on the dashboard is a separate, simpler component. Confirm with your breaker exactly which unit is faulty - the EIS module and the start button are different parts with different fitment considerations, and a diagnostic read of fault codes will help identify which one you need.

The first-generation GLA ran as the X156 from 2013 to 2019, with a facelift in 2017, so a 2015 and a 2017 car are both X156 generation but either side of that facelift. Whether the EIS module interchanges across the 2017 facelift boundary is not guaranteed, as software and module revisions sometimes accompany facelifts on Mercedes-Benz models - confirm compatibility with your breaker against your exact registration before purchasing.

Trim level - whether Sport, AMG Line, Executive, or any other - does not affect the fitment of the EIS module or start button on the GLA, as these are mechanically and electronically the same across the trim range. You may notice cosmetic differences in the finish of the start button surround depending on interior specification, but the functional part itself is interchangeable regardless of trim. Confirm with your breaker using your registration to make sure the part matches your generation and build date.

No - the X156 generation (2013-2019) and the H247 generation (2020 onwards) are entirely different platforms with different steering columns, wiring architectures, and engine management systems, so parts from these two generations will not interchange. Always make sure your breaker sources the part from the same generation as your vehicle, confirmed against your registration number.

Mercedes-Benz EIS modules are not straightforward plug-and-play items even within the brand, as they are typically paired to the vehicle's key and immobiliser system and usually require coding by a Mercedes-Benz specialist or locksmith after fitting. Some modules from closely related models on the same platform may be physically compatible, but whether they can be successfully paired to your GLA is a question to put to your breaker and a qualified auto electrician before you buy. Never guarantee fitment or assume a used EIS will simply work without professional programming.