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BW03 VCZ

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Petrol 1796cc

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MOT Status

Valid

Expires29 Nov 2026

Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)

Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

180,745 mi

Last recorded180,745 miles

Recorded on13 Nov 2025

Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz C81,364 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBW03 VCZ

MakeMercedes-benz

ModelC

Year2003

ColourSilver

Fuel typePetrol

Engine1,796cc

View full Mercedes-benz C reliability data Browse other 2003 Mercedes-benz C registrations

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 11 fail

Pass 13 Nov 2025 180,745 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Nov 2025 180,742 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn D-MOUNT (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Nov 2024 176,359 miles

Fail 8 Nov 2024 176,359 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Nov 2023 169,876 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

rear axle and suspension parts rusty

Pass 31 Mar 2022 169,698 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play lower front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

brake pedal has travel but not considered excessive

Fail 30 Mar 2022 169,695 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play lower front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

brake pedal has travel but not considered excessive

Pass 12 Apr 2021 167,638 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2021 167,638 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Mar 2020 163,469 miles

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

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))

lower engine covers fitted

Pass 9 Apr 2019 159,698 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Fail 8 Apr 2019 159,698 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 10 Apr 2018 148,094 miles

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 10 Apr 2018 148,094 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 4 Apr 2017 137,779 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 4 Apr 2017 137,779 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 4 Apr 2016 126,798 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2015 115,991 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

oil leak from gearbox

Pass 11 Mar 2014 101,588 miles

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 19 Mar 2013 89,814 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 19 Mar 2013 89,814 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 14 Mar 2012 77,574 miles

Nearside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

wiper blades streaking on screen

Pass 14 Mar 2012 77,574 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

wiper blades streaking on screen

Pass 6 Apr 2011 68,527 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 8 Apr 2010 55,244 miles

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

N/S/F tyre wearing on the outer edge

Fail 8 Apr 2010 55,244 miles

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

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

N/S/F tyre wearing on the outer edge

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 7 Apr 2009 43,036 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)

Pass 13 Mar 2008 31,974 miles

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

Pass 31 Jul 2007 28,006 miles

Pass 3 Jul 2006 22,313 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)

Fail 3 Jul 2006 22,313 miles

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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)

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

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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BW03 VCZ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 BW03 VCZ, 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 BW03 VCZ?

You can check the full history of BW03 VCZ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BW03 VCZ registered?

BW03 VCZ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 11 August 2003.

Is BW03 VCZ safe to buy?

The MOT history for BW03 VCZ shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BW03 VCZ 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 BW03 VCZ. 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.