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LM53 SKE

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Apr 2027
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

188,501 mi
Last recorded188,501 miles
Recorded on16 Mar 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationLM53 SKE
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 15 fail
Pass 16 Mar 2026 188,501 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 16 Mar 2026 188,501 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2025 184,557 miles

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

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

Under trays fitted also corrosion under car.

Fail 7 Apr 2025 184,557 miles

Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an induction leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

Under trays fitted also corrosion under car.

Pass 3 Apr 2024 181,557 miles

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

Fail 3 Apr 2024 181,557 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2023 176,005 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2023 176,005 miles

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 7 Apr 2022 171,798 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2022 171,786 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Central Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak exhaust box <cat>corroded through and insecure (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front advise heat shield security

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Road wheel slightly distorted rim section (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear all metal suspension components and body noticeable corrosion.

Pass 9 Apr 2021 161,627 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Apr 2021 161,627 miles

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

Road wheel fixing missing 1 x each wheel (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Jun 2019 145,076 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2019

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

Pass 25 Jun 2018 138,265 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2017 128,520 miles

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 23 Jun 2016 119,279 miles

Centre exhaust section deteriorating

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3.2mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (1.4.A.2f)

Rear exhaust section loose & blowing

corrosion to rear chassis & body

engine management light on

Fail 22 Jun 2016 119,279 miles

Bonnet retaining device excessively deteriorated (8.4.2)

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Fuel pipe leaking underside corroded (7.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Radius arm fractured (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Centre exhaust section deteriorating

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3.2mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (1.4.A.2f)

Rear exhaust section loose & blowing

corrosion to rear chassis & body

engine management light on

Pass 13 Jun 2015
Pass 25 Jun 2014 109,036 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

under body slighlty corroded

Fail 22 Jun 2014 109,036 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm missing (2.4.G.1)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

under body slighlty corroded

Pass 17 Sep 2013 101,660 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2013 101,660 miles

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

rear tyres showing wear on inner treads

Pass 29 Sep 2012 88,304 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2012 88,304 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Oct 2011 75,529 miles
Pass 4 Feb 2011 68,900 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2011 68,900 miles

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Pass 3 Feb 2010 60,038 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2010 60,038 miles

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

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

Offside Front Side repeater excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

Pass 11 Feb 2009 49,854 miles
Fail 10 Feb 2009 49,854 miles

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

Pass 5 Feb 2008 40,226 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2008 40,221 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 12 Feb 2007 30,914 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

LM53 SKE is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 LM53 SKE, 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 LM53 SKE?

You can check the full history of LM53 SKE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was LM53 SKE registered?

LM53 SKE is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 18 December 2003.

Is LM53 SKE safe to buy?

The MOT history for LM53 SKE shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does LM53 SKE 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 LM53 SKE. 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.