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C5 KAJ

1997 Mercedes-benz S-class

Red Petrol 2799cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Mar 2027
Tests23 (17 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate73.9%

Mileage

107,428 mi
Last recorded107,428 miles
Recorded on7 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class103,857 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC5 KAJ
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelS-class
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,799cc

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

17 pass 6 fail
Pass 7 Feb 2026 107,428 miles

General corrosion present front & rear

Pass 6 Mar 2025 107,423 miles

general corrosion over the front suspension components

general corrosion over the rear suspension components

Pass 28 Mar 2023 107,410 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Jun 2022 106,923 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened plastic cover preventing full inspection (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened plastic cover preventing full inspection (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 26 May 2022 106,922 miles

Emissions not tested major engine misfire risk of damage (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened plastic cover preventing full inspection (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside mirror missing centre mirror present

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened plastic cover preventing full inspection (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 21 May 2021 106,478 miles

Factory Sill Covers Fitted

Fail 13 May 2021 106,478 miles

Central Rear Seat belt missing Receiver Missing (7.1.2 (a))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper inadequately mounted Upper Caliper Fixing Bolt (1.1.16 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Factory Sill Covers Fitted

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.4.1 (a) (i))

Service Brake Pedal Feels Spongy on Application

Pass 8 Jul 2019 106,475 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 13 Oct 2017 104,875 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2016 104,871 miles

Front exhaust bracket broken

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 24 Jul 2014 104,826 miles

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 21 Jul 2014 104,785 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 5 Sep 2013 101,888 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 10 Sep 2012 99,849 miles

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 10 Sep 2012 99,849 miles

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jul 2011 98,748 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2010 97,697 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2010 97,697 miles

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

Pass 6 Aug 2009 96,321 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2008 94,486 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2008 94,485 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2007 90,380 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2006 83,905 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz S-class?

Based on 692,220 MOT tests across 62,130 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
6,086
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
62,130
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 25,613
Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,895
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 6,706
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 6,018
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,811
Full Mercedes-benz S-class reliability report

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C5 KAJ is a 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class in Red with a 2,799cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.9%.

Across all 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.0% with a typical mileage of 103,857 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz S-class fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 25,613 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C5 KAJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz S-class typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 29 years old, this Mercedes-benz S-class is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C5 KAJ?

You can check the full history of C5 KAJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C5 KAJ registered?

C5 KAJ is a 1997 Mercedes-benz S-class, first registered on 28 August 1997.

Is C5 KAJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for C5 KAJ shows 23 tests with a 73.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C5 KAJ 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 C5 KAJ. 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.