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DG53 RKA

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Diesel 2148cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Jul 2026
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

224,780 mi
Last recorded224,780 miles
Recorded on20 Jul 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationDG53 RKA
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,148cc

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 8 fail
Fail 20 Jul 2026 224,780 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.5 mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN BRAKING UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE ON INSPECTION

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

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

Offside Front SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN BRAKING UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE ON INSPECTION

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 15 Jul 2025 212,796 miles

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))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH SIDES FRONT ONES AND REAR ONES (5.3.4 (a) (i))

SEALENT APPLIED REAR SUB FRAME

Fail 15 Jul 2025 212,794 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Road wheel fixing missing ALL WHEELS ONE EACH (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH SIDES FRONT ONES AND REAR ONES (5.3.4 (a) (i))

SEALENT APPLIED REAR SUB FRAME

Pass 16 Jul 2024 200,942 miles

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))

Fail 13 Jun 2024 320,966 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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))

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 30 Mar 2023 192,998 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Apr 2022 180,275 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 24 Apr 2021 179,762 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

under body slightly corrosion

Pass 7 Mar 2020 179,008 miles

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

rear under body slightly corrossion

Pass 23 Feb 2019 170,606 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread FRONT & REAR (0.1 (b))

Fail 23 Feb 2019 170,606 miles

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread FRONT & REAR (0.1 (b))

Pass 19 Feb 2018 158,095 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Fail 17 Feb 2018 158,095 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 11 Feb 2017 142,694 miles

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

Fail 10 Feb 2017 142,694 miles

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

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

Pass 6 Feb 2016 126,883 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 6 Feb 2015 108,695 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 4 Feb 2014 102,082 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 15 Jan 2013 96,521 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 3 Feb 2012 91,283 miles

Centre Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 3 Feb 2012 91,283 miles

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

Centre Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 3 Feb 2011 84,425 miles
Pass 4 Feb 2010 77,325 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2009 69,954 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2009 69,954 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

Pass 18 Feb 2008 60,715 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2006 50,325 miles

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

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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DG53 RKA is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 2,148cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 DG53 RKA, 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 DG53 RKA?

You can check the full history of DG53 RKA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DG53 RKA registered?

DG53 RKA is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is DG53 RKA safe to buy?

The MOT history for DG53 RKA shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DG53 RKA 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 DG53 RKA. 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.