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FL53 EWJ

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Mar 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

100,711 mi
Last recorded100,711 miles
Recorded on27 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz C81,364 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationFL53 EWJ
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourSilver
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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 27 Mar 2026 100,711 miles

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

Front Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

undertrays fitted not allowing inspection of brake pipes

Fail 17 Mar 2026 100,707 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Front Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

undertrays fitted not allowing inspection of brake pipes

Pass 12 Mar 2025 98,656 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 5 Mar 2025 98,656 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 14 Feb 2024 96,362 miles

Exhaust bolt insecure (center) + slight exhaust gas leak (center + rear)

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

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

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

Fail 6 Feb 2024 96,334 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Exhaust bolt insecure (center) + slight exhaust gas leak (center + rear)

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2023 92,459 miles

Headlamp lens slightly defective Both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

bonnet secondary release catch difficult to operate

Fail 14 Feb 2023 92,459 miles

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective Both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

bonnet secondary release catch difficult to operate

Pass 15 Feb 2022 81,448 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2022 81,448 miles

Offside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Feb 2021 74,182 miles

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

Fail 20 Feb 2021 74,182 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 12 Feb 2020 67,831 miles

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

Pass 16 Nov 2018 58,387 miles

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

under trays fitted unable to fully inspect

Pass 3 Oct 2017 53,558 miles

exhaust bracket at gear box broken

Fail 2 Oct 2017 53,558 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn bad on outer shoulder (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn bad on outer shoulder (4.1.E.1)

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

engine (man) light on

exhaust bracket at gear box broken

Pass 14 Sep 2016 48,439 miles

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

Nearside Rear nail in tyre

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

both rear springs corroded

Fail 13 Sep 2016 48,439 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

Nearside Rear nail in tyre

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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

both rear springs corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2015 46,327 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Fail 28 Sep 2015 46,323 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

Pass 12 Sep 2014 43,861 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

Oil leak from auto box sump gasket

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Fail 11 Sep 2014 43,861 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

Oil leak from auto box sump gasket

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 25 Sep 2013 41,354 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2013 41,354 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Pass 4 Oct 2012 38,104 miles

Nearside front tyre has a cut in the sidewall but not down to the cords

Fail 3 Oct 2012 38,104 miles

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

Nearside front tyre has a cut in the sidewall but not down to the cords

Pass 26 Sep 2011 35,363 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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 23 Sep 2011 35,363 miles

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

Nail in offside rear tyre

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)

front brake discs worn

Pass 17 Sep 2010 32,161 miles

front brake discs slightly worn

Fail 14 Sep 2010 32,150 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

front brake discs slightly worn

Pass 21 Sep 2009 28,292 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2008 24,340 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2007 21,301 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2006 17,996 miles

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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FL53 EWJ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

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 FL53 EWJ, 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 FL53 EWJ?

You can check the full history of FL53 EWJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FL53 EWJ registered?

FL53 EWJ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 15 September 2003.

Is FL53 EWJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for FL53 EWJ shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FL53 EWJ 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 FL53 EWJ. 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.