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BL53 VFT

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Feb 2027
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

165,390 mi
Last recorded165,390 miles
Recorded on30 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

RegistrationBL53 VFT
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 15 fail
Pass 30 Jan 2026 165,390 miles

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

Fail 30 Jan 2026 165,390 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 3 Feb 2025 162,141 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2025 162,141 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 1 Feb 2024 158,153 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2024 158,153 miles

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

Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))

Pass 1 Feb 2023 152,258 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2023 152,258 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 24 Jan 2022 148,327 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2022 148,327 miles

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 26 Jan 2021 145,466 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2021 145,466 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps Both (4.7.2 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 20 Dec 2019 143,257 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 20 Dec 2019 143,257 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Dec 2018 139,319 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 5 Dec 2018 139,319 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Dec 2017 136,229 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

engine m/light on

Fail 4 Dec 2017 136,229 miles

Nearside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

engine m/light on

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 8 Dec 2016 128,454 miles

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

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

Tyre worn close to the legal limit all 4 (4.1.E.1)

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

Fail 8 Dec 2016 128,454 miles

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit all 4 (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 17 Dec 2015 119,798 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front tyre wearing on inner edge

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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)

corrosion forming on rear suspension componets

Fail 11 Dec 2015 119,667 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front tyre wearing on inner edge

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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)

corrosion forming on rear suspension componets

Pass 22 Dec 2014 109,598 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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)

Fail 22 Dec 2014 109,598 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)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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 21 Dec 2013 100,005 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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

Pass 15 Dec 2012 91,080 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 12 Dec 2012 91,080 miles

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

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

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)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 29 Dec 2011 83,800 miles
Fail 23 Dec 2011 83,800 miles

Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 22 Dec 2010 75,389 miles

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

Pass 24 Dec 2009 65,157 miles

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

nsf tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 20 Dec 2008 40,579 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2008 40,579 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Dec 2007 36,765 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Dec 2006 22,692 miles

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

o/s/f wheel arch trim/sheild insecure.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

BL53 VFT is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 BL53 VFT, 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 BL53 VFT?

You can check the full history of BL53 VFT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BL53 VFT registered?

BL53 VFT is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 24 December 2003.

Is BL53 VFT safe to buy?

The MOT history for BL53 VFT shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BL53 VFT 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 BL53 VFT. 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.