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J88 BJL

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Blue Diesel 2148cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Sep 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

148,919 mi
Last recorded148,919 miles
Recorded on21 Aug 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

RegistrationJ88 BJL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourBlue
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 8 fail
Pass 21 Aug 2026 148,919 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2025 147,441 miles

Exhaust emits black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2024 145,614 miles

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

under tray fitted

Fail 23 Aug 2024 145,613 miles

Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

under tray fitted

Pass 15 Aug 2023 142,694 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2022 141,046 miles

General under body corrosion

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 6 Sep 2021 139,178 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective split on end (3.4 (b) (i))

both sides outer sill coversand undertrays fitted

Pass 25 Aug 2020 137,996 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2019 136,524 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2018 133,402 miles

undertrays and outer sill covers fitted

Pass 7 Sep 2017 131,903 miles

front to rear metal brake pipes covered in paint, unable to view. may be corroded

trims fitted to outersills and undersides

Fail 6 Sep 2017 131,895 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Aug 2016 128,848 miles

front tyres close to limit suggest attention

Fail 7 Aug 2016 128,799 miles

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

Offside Front Upper 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 Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

front tyres close to limit suggest attention

Pass 5 Sep 2015 126,687 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2015 126,687 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 29 Jul 2014 123,918 miles

slight play nearside front wheel bearing

wipers poor

Fail 28 Jul 2014 123,906 miles

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

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

wipers poor

Fail 28 Aug 2013 115,318 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 28 Aug 2013 115,318 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2012 103,158 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2012 103,153 miles

Offside Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Pass 21 Jun 2011 93,283 miles

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

Pass 17 Jun 2010 85,412 miles

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

Pass 16 Oct 2009 86,573 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2008 67,260 miles

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

Pass 1 Oct 2007 53,876 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2006 41,941 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2006 41,941 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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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J88 BJL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Blue with a 2,148cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 J88 BJL, 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 J88 BJL?

You can check the full history of J88 BJL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J88 BJL registered?

J88 BJL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 1 April 2003.

Is J88 BJL safe to buy?

The MOT history for J88 BJL shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J88 BJL 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 J88 BJL. 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.