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DE53 VDM

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Purple Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Oct 2027
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

52,466 mi
Last recorded52,466 miles
Recorded on5 Oct 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz C81,364 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

RegistrationDE53 VDM
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourPurple
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

21 pass 10 fail
Pass 5 Oct 2026 52,466 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 6 Oct 2025 49,582 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Oct 2025 49,580 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2024 46,860 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both side (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 Oct 2024 46,860 miles

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

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both side (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Oct 2023 43,617 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Fail 4 Oct 2023 43,617 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Pass 3 Oct 2022 40,291 miles
Pass 6 Oct 2021 37,185 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords outer wall damaged (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 21 Sep 2021 37,043 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords outside wall damaged (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 1 Oct 2020 34,164 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2019 30,911 miles
Pass 4 Oct 2018 28,517 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 19 Sep 2017 27,542 miles

Nearside Front nsf brake flexi to body anchor point corroded

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

Offside Front osf flexi to body anchor point corroded

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

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

Rear rear exhaust bracket corroded but still suported

Fail 19 Sep 2017 27,542 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front nsf brake flexi to body anchor point corroded

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

Offside Front osf flexi to body anchor point corroded

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

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

Rear rear exhaust bracket corroded but still suported

Pass 9 Sep 2016 26,670 miles

exhaust mid box bracket corroded but still secure at time of test

Fail 9 Sep 2016 26,670 miles

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

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

exhaust mid box bracket corroded but still secure at time of test

registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (6.3.1d)

Pass 25 Sep 2015 25,672 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 3 Oct 2014 24,562 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 2 Oct 2014 24,561 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 13 Sep 2013 23,305 miles
Fail 13 Sep 2013 23,305 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Pass 25 Sep 2012 22,096 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2011 20,432 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 19 Sep 2011 20,432 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2010 18,134 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2009 16,889 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2008 15,882 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2007 14,669 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2007 14,669 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Pass 19 Sep 2006 12,990 miles

nsr tyre outer wall small cut no cord at time of test

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.

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DE53 VDM is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Purple with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 DE53 VDM, 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 DE53 VDM?

You can check the full history of DE53 VDM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DE53 VDM registered?

DE53 VDM is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 29 September 2003.

Is DE53 VDM safe to buy?

The MOT history for DE53 VDM shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DE53 VDM 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 DE53 VDM. 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.