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A3 FWV

1997 Mercedes-benz S-class

Blue Petrol 4196cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Nov 2026
Tests24 (19 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate79.2%

Mileage

61,457 mi
Last recorded61,457 miles
Recorded on5 Nov 2025
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class103,857 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA3 FWV
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelS-class
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,196cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 5 fail
Pass 5 Nov 2025 61,457 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Oil leak, but not excessive diff drive shaft seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 22 Oct 2024 60,177 miles

Central Exhaust corroded

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Prop shaft bearing has slight play rear rubber (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 2 Nov 2023 57,628 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive from transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 19 Oct 2023 57,601 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Central Exhaust box corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive from transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 27 Oct 2022 56,523 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive from transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 20 Oct 2021 55,700 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 24 Oct 2020 54,554 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 24 Oct 2020 54,554 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 25 Oct 2019 51,509 miles

Central Exhaust box corroded

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 235/60/16 (3mm) (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 19 Oct 2018 50,781 miles

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 19 Oct 2018 50,781 miles

Nearside Direction indicator missing side (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Oct 2017 49,483 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2016 48,919 miles

Direction indicator slightly discoloured rear inner both sides (1.4.A.2f)

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both sides (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak from rear differential area ()

Pass 26 Sep 2015 47,556 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2014 43,649 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Oct 2013 42,598 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2012 41,404 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 15 Jul 2011 38,860 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 23 Jul 2010 36,249 miles

exhaust corroded

o/s/f headlamp cracked

rear diff wet

Fail 22 Jul 2010 36,248 miles

Nearside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

exhaust corroded

o/s/f headlamp cracked

rear diff wet

Pass 30 Jul 2009 31,117 miles

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

front number plate cracked

rear number plate delaminating

Pass 3 Nov 2008 23,364 miles
Fail 27 Oct 2008 23,364 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 23 Aug 2006 22,964 miles

offside front and all rear indicators bulbs start to turn white

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz S-class?

Based on 692,220 MOT tests across 62,130 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
6,086
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
62,130
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 25,613
Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,895
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 6,706
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 6,018
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,811
Full Mercedes-benz S-class reliability report

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A3 FWV is a 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class in Blue with a 4,196cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 79.2%.

Across all 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.0% with a typical mileage of 103,857 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz S-class fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 25,613 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A3 FWV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz S-class typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 29 years old, this Mercedes-benz S-class is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A3 FWV?

You can check the full history of A3 FWV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A3 FWV registered?

A3 FWV is a 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class, first registered on 15 September 1997.

Is A3 FWV safe to buy?

The MOT history for A3 FWV shows 24 tests with a 79.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A3 FWV have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A3 FWV. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.