Used Mercedes-Benz GLA Starter Motor

The Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 generation ran from 2013 to 2019, with a facelift in 2017, so a 2015 and a 2018 are both X156 but sit either side of that facelift boundary. Fitment depends primarily on the engine code rather than the model year, so if both cars share the same engine code the starter motor is likely compatible, but you should confirm with the breaker against your registration as ancillary and mounting details can change across a facelift. Always supply your engine code, found on your V5 or via a VIN check, when requesting a quote.

The GLA 200 and GLA 250 are both petrol variants of the X156, but they use different engine codes — the 200 typically uses the M270 1.6-litre and the 250 uses the M270 2.0-litre — and the starter motor follows the engine code, not the badge. Because the displacement and tune differ, these are not straightforward swaps, so confirm compatibility with the breaker using your exact engine code and registration. Trim level has no bearing on starter motor fitment at all.

Most GLA variants — petrol and diesel — do have a conventional starter motor, so this is a genuine part to search for on this model. However, some later GLA X156 models fitted with the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox also incorporate a belt-driven starter-generator as part of the mild-hybrid or stop-start system, which is a separate and different component from the traditional starter motor. Confirm with the breaker which starting system your specific car uses before ordering, as supplying your engine code and gearbox type will help them identify the correct part.

Yes, engine code matters here: the GLA 220d uses the OM651 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel, while the GLA 200d in the X156 generation uses a different engine, typically the OM608 or OM651 depending on year, so the starter motors may not be interchangeable. Always cross-reference the engine code stamped on your V5 or confirmed via a VIN check rather than relying on the badge alone when requesting a quote from a breaker. Fuel type and engine code together are the two most important details to supply.

Gearbox type can affect starter motor compatibility because the starter mounts to the bellhousing, and the physical interface between the engine and gearbox differs between a manual and an automatic transmission. On the GLA X156, which was offered with both manual and 7G-DCT automatic options depending on variant, confirm the gearbox type alongside your engine code when requesting a quote from the breaker. This is a detail the breaker will need to verify fitment properly.

No — AMG Line, Urban Edition, and other trim designations on the GLA X156 are cosmetic and equipment packages; they do not affect the starter motor. What matters is the engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type, none of which change based on trim level. When contacting a breaker, give them your engine code and registration rather than your trim name, and they will be able to match the correct part.