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BT53 CFL

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Feb 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

138,416 mi
Last recorded138,416 miles
Recorded on3 Feb 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

RegistrationBT53 CFL
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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 3 Feb 2026 138,416 miles

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

Offside Front Inner Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 3 Feb 2026 138,415 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Inner Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 5 Feb 2025 132,029 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2025 132,007 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 2 Feb 2024 129,034 miles

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

Fail 1 Feb 2024 129,034 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 30 Jan 2023 115,144 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Feb 2022 104,281 miles

Nearside Rear 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))

Fail 2 Feb 2022 104,281 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear 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))

Pass 12 Mar 2021 91,859 miles

both rear springs corroded

Fail 9 Mar 2021 91,858 miles

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating BOTH SIDES (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn BOTH ARMS (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn BOTH ARMS (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick BOTH SIDES (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

both rear springs corroded

engine temp high

rear suspension noisey

Pass 21 Mar 2020 79,300 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 19 Mar 2020 79,300 miles

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

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2019 77,108 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

n/s/r tyre perished

o/s/r tyre perished

Pass 27 Feb 2018 76,352 miles
Fail 27 Feb 2018 76,352 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Pass 24 Feb 2017 73,152 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2017 73,151 miles

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

o/s/f tyre worn on outside edge

Pass 10 Mar 2016 64,211 miles

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

Nearside and offside front tyre's worn on outside wall

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2015 54,893 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 17 Mar 2014 49,526 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 11 Mar 2013 46,108 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 19 Mar 2012 44,170 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 23 Mar 2011 41,698 miles

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 11 Mar 2010 37,495 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2009 34,490 miles

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

Oil Leak

Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 12 Dec 2007 25,956 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2006 19,228 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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BT53 CFL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 BT53 CFL, 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 BT53 CFL?

You can check the full history of BT53 CFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BT53 CFL registered?

BT53 CFL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 15 December 2003.

Is BT53 CFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for BT53 CFL shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BT53 CFL 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 BT53 CFL. 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.