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AK53 ZFV

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Jan 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

172,168 mi
Last recorded172,168 miles
Recorded on22 Jan 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz C81,364 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAK53 ZFV
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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 8 fail
Pass 22 Jan 2026 172,168 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both sides (4.4.3 (a))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front bumper slightly damage

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Fail 22 Jan 2026 172,151 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view door mirror (3.3 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both sides (4.4.3 (a))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front bumper slightly damage

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 5 Dec 2024 166,024 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 5 Dec 2024 166,024 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Fail 27 Nov 2024 165,893 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Dec 2023 158,533 miles

slight wear in both bottom ball joints

slight wear in both inner bushes

Pass 20 Dec 2021 151,255 miles

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

Pass 9 Feb 2021 146,158 miles

LCD offside door mirror glass cloudy

front discs and pads lipped and worn

heavy surface corrosion on and around rear subframe and suspension components

visable rigid brake pipes corroded(especially rear)

Fail 9 Feb 2021 146,158 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

LCD offside door mirror glass cloudy

front discs and pads lipped and worn

heavy surface corrosion on and around rear subframe and suspension components

visable rigid brake pipes corroded(especially rear)

Pass 13 Feb 2020 142,711 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Over Sub frame. (1.1.11 (c))

Unable to see brake fluid level.

Pass 9 Feb 2019 141,217 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Jan 2019 141,197 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn lower arm bush to the front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (h) (i))

Pass 24 Jan 2018 138,109 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front lower rear (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

exhaust bracket missing

Fail 16 Jan 2018 138,006 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front lower rear (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

exhaust bracket missing

Pass 21 Jan 2017 129,857 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 1 Feb 2016 116,692 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2015 113,156 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 22 Mar 2014 107,860 miles

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)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

exhaust hangar broken but system still supported

Pass 23 Mar 2013 102,649 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 29 Mar 2012 96,784 miles

exhaust bracket deteriated but sercure

Fail 28 Mar 2012 96,784 miles

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

exhaust bracket deteriated but sercure

Pass 15 Mar 2011 91,281 miles

nearside front tyre worn on outter edge

slight play in both front wheel bearings

Pass 15 Jan 2010 84,719 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2009 67,498 miles

all brake discs slightly worn & corroded

Fail 19 Dec 2008 67,493 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 15 Nov 2007 57,705 miles

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 20 Nov 2006 45,176 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz C?

Based on 8,031,355 MOT tests across 683,668 vehicles.

77.6%
Pass Rate
6,412
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
683,668
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 240,078
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 76,831
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 67,503
Brake pipe excessively corroded 66,298
coil spring broken 61,560
Full Mercedes-benz C reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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AK53 ZFV is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz C models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 81,364 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz C fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 240,078 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AK53 ZFV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz C typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz C is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AK53 ZFV?

You can check the full history of AK53 ZFV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AK53 ZFV registered?

AK53 ZFV is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 27 November 2003.

Is AK53 ZFV safe to buy?

The MOT history for AK53 ZFV shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AK53 ZFV 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 AK53 ZFV. 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.