...suggestions to what the problem might be? its an A140 was told it may be the battery, got a new one but still got the same problem.

Hi there just to reinforce the point made earlier points havent been used in cars since the late 80's so i would totallt discount that one, have you had the car in to the dealers ? a lot of people have laptops but the software on them isnt as good as the STAR/WIZ system that mercedes use. Mercedes Benz spends over £1,000,000 a day on research and devlopment so things are constantly updated and there a lots of recalls ans modifications. Crank sensor is possible so is cam sensor air mass meter there could be loads of things you need it on a STAR system for an accurate diagnosis then have it repaired which you can have at a garage of yoru choice

The A class doesn't have points it has a sophisticated system with a sealed coil pack, which is an easy replacement. Your car is likely to run for 100,000 miles without needing much other than a few sensors.

It is very possibly something called the crank sensor you have a problem with, it is very easy to replace and will cost around £160 fitted at a main dealership. The thing is the size of a pencil and has a wire leading to it.

The A class has several different sensors and the air mass sensor is also a common fault, that is to say from time to time it needs replacing. This is more money at around £800, and needs to be ordered as they claim it needs to be the exact one for your chassis number. Second hand ones are no use apparently. This sensor often makes the car cut out after short runs, eg to the shop/garage etc and home again.

If the car has been serviced to the book, then the air mass sensor should have been replaced or be due to be replaced at around 60-70K miles, so check the service book to see what sensors have been done already.

Now the A class is a wonderful wonderful car and fantasticaly engineered, and the fault is unlikely to be the starter motor or another mechanical part, as they rarely go wrong. There are some electronics which get upset sometimes.

I love the A class, have you discovered the hidden fuse box on the side of the dashboard yet? Open the driver side door and pull the square plate off the side of the dash!

What you really have with your car is to plug in a laptop, the plug's under the steering column, the RAC breakdown company can do this for you if you have homestart, and some garages have the BENZ software.

I would suggest you could have a look at the baby benz website technical forum at http://www.baby-benz.com/portal/index.php

could be a faulty starter moter

Check the points to make sure they are clean. Make sure there are no loose wires as one could easily have almost come adrift and occasionally will stop the engine firing.

Im not sure what the problem is but i used to have a vauxhall corsa which did exactly the same thing- i took it to the garage 3 times and they couldnt tell me what the problem was either- my advice get rid of it

Starter motor, or ignition switch, if you have a immobiliser fitted that could be your problem.