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LS53 VNC

2003 Mercedes-benz C

Black Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

126,489 mi
Last recorded126,489 miles
Recorded on19 Dec 2025
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

RegistrationLS53 VNC
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year2003
ColourBlack
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 126,489 miles

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both os+ns (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened +suspension arms all. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Dec 2025 126,487 miles

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

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both os+ns (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened +suspension arms all. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 6 Dec 2024 124,620 miles

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Coil spring corroded os+ns (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened + suspension arms. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Dec 2023 122,890 miles

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Coil spring corroded OS+NS (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Dec 2022 119,991 miles

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))

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

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))

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

Fail 12 Dec 2022 119,990 miles

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

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

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))

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

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))

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

Pass 21 Dec 2021 116,986 miles

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))

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

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))

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

Fail 10 Dec 2021 116,933 miles

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

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded ns/os (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded ns/os (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 10 Dec 2020 115,014 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Dec 2020 114,971 miles

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

Offside Front Inner Steering column has excessive movement up and down (2.2.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2019 112,522 miles

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Fail 26 Nov 2019 112,520 miles

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

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 24 Nov 2018 105,773 miles

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

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

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both nearside and offside (4.4.3 (a))

brake pipes are slightly corroded

slight body corrosion

Pass 22 Oct 2017 99,308 miles

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 25 Sep 2017 99,073 miles

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 Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. space saver fitted to nearside front (4.1.A.1a)

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

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

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

centre exhaust bracket broken

engine light on

front exhaust bracket broken

nearside front fog light insecure

strong advise! nearside rear tyre no tread outer edge

Pass 24 Aug 2016 92,499 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt front arm (2.4.G.2)

centre exhaust bracket broken

front exhaust bracket corroded

nearside rear tyre slight wear on outer edge

Fail 25 Jul 2016 92,194 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing also linkage missing (8.2.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement as marked, rear arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt front arm (2.4.G.2)

centre exhaust bracket broken

front exhaust bracket corroded

nearside rear tyre slight wear on outer edge

Pass 13 Aug 2015 88,046 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 13 Aug 2015 88,046 miles

Nearside 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)

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

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 Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 29 May 2014 82,322 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

nearside wiper not clearing screen

Fail 19 May 2014 82,321 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.D.1)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

nearside wiper not clearing screen

Pass 15 Apr 2013 77,306 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rear exhaust bracket broken

Fail 15 Apr 2013 77,304 miles

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

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

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rear exhaust bracket broken

Pass 22 Mar 2012 73,273 miles

Nearside Side repeater damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 15 Oct 2010 66,413 miles

offside front suspension arm balljoint gaiter split.

offside front tyre worn / wearing on outer edge

Pass 26 Sep 2009 59,945 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2008 49,417 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

nearside rear tyre worn close to tread wear bars

Fail 3 Apr 2008 49,417 miles

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

nearside rear tyre worn close to tread wear bars

Pass 2 Apr 2007 43,302 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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)

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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LS53 VNC is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C in Black with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

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 LS53 VNC, 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 LS53 VNC?

You can check the full history of LS53 VNC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was LS53 VNC registered?

LS53 VNC is a 2003 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 26 November 2003.

Is LS53 VNC safe to buy?

The MOT history for LS53 VNC shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does LS53 VNC 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 LS53 VNC. 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.