CarVerify

Free Car Check

P397 FOJ

1996 Mercedes-benz C

Blue Petrol 1799cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires28 Jun 2022
Tests20 (14 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

85,548 mi
Last recorded85,548 miles
Recorded on23 Sep 2022
Typical for 1996 Mercedes-benz C110,579 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationP397 FOJ
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,799cc

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

14 pass 6 fail
Fail 23 Sep 2022 85,548 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated (1.1.6 (d))

Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))

Exhaust mounting defective front (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened front arm (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened front arm (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jun 2021 78,793 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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 Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 29 Jun 2021 78,793 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working blown bulb replaced (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working blown bulb replaced (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 10 Oct 2019 71,910 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2019 71,906 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour orang had peeled away from bulb replaced with new (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working blown bulb (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 6 Oct 2017 64,355 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2017 64,337 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 4 Jul 2016 58,802 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2016 58,796 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Jun 2015 55,465 miles

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

offside tyre cracking on side wall

Pass 29 Jun 2015 55,465 miles

offside tyre cracking on side wall

Pass 3 Jul 2014 52,283 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2013 51,516 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2012 50,133 miles
Pass 9 May 2011 48,790 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2010 47,237 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2009 45,721 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2008 44,953 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2007 43,390 miles

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

Pass 3 Apr 2006 40,269 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

P397 FOJ is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C in Blue with a 1,799cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

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 P397 FOJ, 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 P397 FOJ?

You can check the full history of P397 FOJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P397 FOJ registered?

P397 FOJ is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 19 December 1996.

Is P397 FOJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for P397 FOJ shows 20 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P397 FOJ 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 P397 FOJ. 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.