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BF53 BNL

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Black Diesel 2148cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Dec 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

131,038 mi
Last recorded131,038 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
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

RegistrationBF53 BNL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,148cc

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 11 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 131,038 miles

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Dec 2024 129,153 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Fail 17 Dec 2024 129,151 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Pass 29 Dec 2023 128,558 miles

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

underbody surface corrosion

Fail 28 Jul 2023 128,551 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brake backing plate insecure

Pass 9 Aug 2022 128,194 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened And adjoining suspension components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 27 Jul 2022 128,193 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened And adjoining suspension components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2021 127,650 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened And adjoining suspension components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 8 Jul 2021 127,648 miles

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened And adjoining suspension components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 20 Jul 2020 127,219 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Fail 20 Jul 2020 127,214 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 16 Jul 2019 126,853 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides to brake hoses and across car (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Jul 2018 124,526 miles

Corrosion to rear subframe and suspension components

Engine covers fitted obscuring some engine components

N/S/F, O/S/F, N/S/R and O/S/R brake hoses ferrules corroded

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

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

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

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

Undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 10 Jul 2017 119,390 miles

Corrosion to rear suspension components

Engine covers fitted obscuring some engine components

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

Undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 27 Jun 2017 119,380 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe modified and seriously weakened (3.6.A.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Corrosion to rear suspension components

Engine covers fitted obscuring some engine components

Nearside Front Brake pipe modified but not seriously weakened (3.6.A.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Slight brake bind

Nearside Front Slight brake bind

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit Worn out of shape inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 27 Jun 2016 113,446 miles

Corrosion to rear suspension components

Engine covers fitted

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords

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

Undertrays fitted

Pass 22 Jul 2015 107,772 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 22 Jul 2015 102,772 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 9 Jul 2014 99,429 miles

Advise n/s/f tyre worn on both edges

Advise o/s/f tyre worn inside edge

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 3 Jul 2014 99,414 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Advise n/s/f tyre worn on both edges

Advise o/s/f tyre worn inside edge

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 26 Jun 2013 91,694 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Jun 2012 82,801 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 11 Jun 2012 82,788 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 9 Jun 2011 73,438 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2011 73,404 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 1 Jun 2010 66,910 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2009 60,827 miles

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

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

Pass 22 May 2008 55,906 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2007 51,258 miles
Fail 2 Jul 2007 51,258 miles

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

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

BF53 BNL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Black with a 2,148cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 BF53 BNL, 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 BF53 BNL?

You can check the full history of BF53 BNL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BF53 BNL registered?

BF53 BNL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 4 September 2003.

Is BF53 BNL safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF53 BNL shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF53 BNL 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 BF53 BNL. 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.