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FV53 RTZ

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Diesel 2148cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Mar 2027
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

179,441 mi
Last recorded179,441 miles
Recorded on11 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz C81,364 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationFV53 RTZ
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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 11 Mar 2026 179,441 miles

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

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

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

Rear Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity both (4.2.3 (b) (i))

under side becoming corroded

Pass 12 Mar 2025 155,870 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2024 154,029 miles

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

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both headlamps have slight misting (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both rear pipes slight corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 22 Aug 2023 142,858 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2022 129,492 miles

Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Offside Front 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))

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

can't fully inspect brake pipes due to undertrays fitted

Fail 19 Sep 2022 129,492 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Nearside Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt foremost (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded next to fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

Front All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

can't fully inspect brake pipes due to undertrays fitted

Pass 9 Nov 2021 118,314 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Dec 2020 110,541 miles

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

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

Fail 16 Dec 2020 110,541 miles

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

Rear Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2019 106,888 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2018 104,606 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2017 99,550 miles
Pass 12 Dec 2016 95,288 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear, rear section (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear ,rear section (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 9 Dec 2016 95,279 miles

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

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear, rear section (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear ,rear section (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 14 Nov 2015 90,783 miles

engine covers and under trays fitted obscuring some components

Pass 2 Dec 2014 87,500 miles

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

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

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

Pass 16 Nov 2013 84,995 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Dec 2012 81,236 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Pass 5 Dec 2011 72,740 miles
Fail 5 Dec 2011 72,740 miles

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

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

Nearside Front 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 13 Dec 2010 65,634 miles
Pass 22 Dec 2009 57,930 miles
Fail 17 Dec 2009 57,930 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 15 Dec 2008 48,975 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2007 40,651 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2006 32,134 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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FV53 RTZ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 2,148cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 FV53 RTZ, 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 FV53 RTZ?

You can check the full history of FV53 RTZ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FV53 RTZ registered?

FV53 RTZ is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 16 December 2003.

Is FV53 RTZ safe to buy?

The MOT history for FV53 RTZ shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FV53 RTZ 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 FV53 RTZ. 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.