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CA53 MSL

2003 Mercedes-benz Sl

Black Petrol 4966cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Apr 2027
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

79,633 mi
Last recorded79,633 miles
Recorded on25 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl53,586 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationCA53 MSL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,966cc

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 7 fail
Pass 25 Mar 2026 79,633 miles
Pass 15 Apr 2025 79,137 miles

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

Fail 14 Apr 2025 79,131 miles

Boot lid cannot be secured in the closed position (6.2.1 (e))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 11 Apr 2024 78,852 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both units (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both sides (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 14 Mar 2024 78,822 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating @60kgf (1.2.1 (e))

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

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both units (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively @40kgf (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both sides (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 21 Mar 2023 78,294 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

one exhaust metal bracket missing but exhaust is secure

Pass 7 Mar 2022 77,875 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2021 77,022 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2021 77,004 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush Bottom ball joint (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt front arm Ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 25 Feb 2020 75,807 miles
Fail 21 Feb 2020 75,802 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 21 Feb 2019 73,347 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 22 Feb 2018 71,493 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Feb 2018 71,493 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 25 Jan 2017 69,358 miles

Nearside Front Fluid suspension unit partially deflated (2.4.D.1a)

Pass 29 Jan 2016 67,659 miles

Slight seepage around N/S/F shock absorber

Pass 23 Feb 2015 65,599 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2015 65,592 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Feb 2014 63,097 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2013 60,165 miles

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

Pass 21 Feb 2012 56,760 miles

Nearside front tyre has tears in inner sidewall

nearside front tyre has cut in outer sidewall

nearside rear tyre has tear in inner sidewall

Fail 20 Feb 2012 56,760 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside front tyre has tears in inner sidewall

nearside front tyre has cut in outer sidewall

nearside rear tyre has tear in inner sidewall

Pass 14 Feb 2011 53,645 miles

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

Nearside front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 15 Feb 2010 51,137 miles
Pass 10 Feb 2009 47,270 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2008 34,488 miles

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

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

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

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

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz Sl?

Based on 528,820 MOT tests across 35,553 vehicles.

83.4%
Pass Rate
2,023
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
35,553
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,801
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,812
Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,463
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 3,077
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,767
Full Mercedes-benz Sl reliability report

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CA53 MSL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl in Black with a 4,966cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.5% with a typical mileage of 53,586 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 Sl fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 8,801 recorded failures. If you're considering buying CA53 MSL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz Sl typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz Sl is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of CA53 MSL?

You can check the full history of CA53 MSL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was CA53 MSL registered?

CA53 MSL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 16 October 2003.

Is CA53 MSL safe to buy?

The MOT history for CA53 MSL shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does CA53 MSL 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 CA53 MSL. 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.