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N318 PJO

1996 Mercedes-benz C

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Mar 2027
Tests34 (21 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate61.8%

Mileage

254,140 mi
Last recorded254,140 miles
Recorded on5 Mar 2026
Typical for 1996 Mercedes-benz C110,579 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN318 PJO
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

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 13 fail
Pass 5 Mar 2026 254,140 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

exhaust heat shield loose

Pass 13 Mar 2025 247,205 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 Headlamp lens slightly defective Glass cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear suspension bushes deteriorated

Rear suspension corroded

Fail 25 Feb 2025 247,192 miles

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength foremost suspension mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength foremost suspension mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective condensated,glass cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

excess diesel from old pipe leak

rear suspension bushes deteriorated

rear suspension corroded

Pass 12 Mar 2024 240,844 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive large oil leak around turbo, undertrays preventing proper inspection (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (drivers side as LHD, "curb side") worn on outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (drivers rear LHD) (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Rear heatshield above rear silencer not secure, sitting on top of silencer

large a/c leak, compressor covered in UV dye

Pass 14 Mar 2023 233,711 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive corroded and covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear brake slight bind

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive foremost subframe mount corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

smell of diesel from inlet manifold aera

Pass 24 Feb 2022 229,253 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front tyre wearing on outer edge

Nearside Rear light damaged

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front headlamp cracked and condensated

Offside floor pan corroded and holed not in a prescribed area

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

corrosion to inner and outer sills

rear suspension and subframe corroded

Pass 5 Mar 2021 220,893 miles

Nearside Rear lamp lens damaged

Offside Front head lamp lens damaged

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

Fail 5 Mar 2021 220,893 miles

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

Nearside Rear lamp lens damaged

Offside Front head lamp lens damaged

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

Pass 12 Mar 2020 217,133 miles

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear light lens damaged

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 Mar 2020 217,133 miles

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear light lens damaged

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Mar 2019 210,352 miles

Nearside Rear light lens cracked

all coil springs

Fail 11 Mar 2019 210,175 miles

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

Nearside Rear light lens cracked

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

all coil springs

Pass 13 Mar 2018 204,223 miles

Front tyres worn on shoulders

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance cracked (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front tyre sidewall worn

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 13 Mar 2018 204,223 miles

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

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

Front tyres worn on shoulders

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance cracked (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front tyre sidewall worn

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 10 Mar 2017 196,944 miles

Corrosion on front and rear suspension components.

Front and rear shock absorbers are corroded.

Nearside rear brake pipe is corroded.

Offside front brake pipe is corroded.

Rear exhaust system is slightly corroded.

offside rear brake pipe is corroded.

Pass 17 Mar 2016 190,335 miles

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

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

Offside Front edges worn smooth

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

Fail 17 Mar 2016 190,335 miles

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

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

Offside Front edges worn smooth

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

Offside Rear Outer Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 9 Mar 2015 181,448 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2014 175,020 miles
Pass 20 Mar 2013 167,990 miles

slight play in steerimg rack

Fail 15 Mar 2013 167,885 miles

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

slight play in steerimg rack

Fail 3 Mar 2012 163,310 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 3 Mar 2012 163,310 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2011 156,825 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2011 156,819 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator missing (1.4.A.2b)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Outer Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

corrosion on both rear shocks and coil springs

corrosion on rear suspension components

damage to rear end of vehicle

heavy pitting on rear brake discs

o/s/r jacking rubber missing

wiper blade smears

Pass 17 Mar 2010 147,710 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 17 Mar 2010 147,710 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Mar 2009 129,119 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2009 129,119 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Mar 2008 122,510 miles

slight corrosion on rear discs

Pass 14 Mar 2007 114,649 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2007 114,649 miles

Offside 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)

Pass 3 Mar 2006 106,194 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2006 106,194 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.6.B1)

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.6.B1)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Offside Rear rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

boot lid damaged.

long parking brake travel.

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

N318 PJO is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.8%.

Across all 1996 Mercedes-benz C models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 110,579 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 N318 PJO, 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 30 years old, this Mercedes-benz C is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N318 PJO?

You can check the full history of N318 PJO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N318 PJO registered?

N318 PJO is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is N318 PJO safe to buy?

The MOT history for N318 PJO shows 34 tests with a 61.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N318 PJO 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 N318 PJO. 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.