CarVerify

Free Car Check

P821 DAU

1996 Mercedes-benz C

Green Petrol 1996cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Nov 2026
Tests22 (18 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81.8%

Mileage

126,061 mi
Last recorded126,061 miles
Recorded on17 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 Mercedes-benz C110,579 mi

Above 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

RegistrationP821 DAU
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,996cc

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 4 fail
Pass 17 Nov 2025 126,061 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule ALL (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing ALL (5.3.2 (b))

Side repeater slightly discoloured OS/NS (4.4.3 (a))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened All (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Nov 2024 125,514 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 25 May 2023 123,709 miles
Pass 17 May 2022 119,399 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 May 2021 117,795 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 May 2020 114,269 miles

Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Pass 21 May 2019 112,993 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 17 May 2018 111,313 miles
Pass 31 May 2017 109,747 miles
Fail 25 May 2017 109,729 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded Full length (3.6.B.2c)

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

Pass 27 May 2016 107,557 miles
Fail 19 May 2016 107,487 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Pass 19 May 2015 102,728 miles
Fail 18 May 2015 102,726 miles

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

Pass 24 May 2014 99,109 miles

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake stationary pin worn but not seriously weakened (3.5.1e)

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

Offside Front Brake stationary pin worn but not seriously weakened (3.5.1e)

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

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

both front brake pipes are heavily undersealed

both rear brake pipes are greased

cuts in o/s/f and o/s/r and n/s/r tyres (no plies or cords to be seen)

Pass 16 May 2013 94,766 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 22 May 2012 91,383 miles

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

Fail 22 May 2012 91,383 miles

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

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

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

front/centre exhaust hanger rusted off

Pass 9 Jun 2011 90,372 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2008 86,203 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2007 82,304 miles

n/s/r + o/s/r tyre tread is cracking on the insides

o/s/f door mirror is cracked

Pass 7 Feb 2006 80,804 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

P821 DAU is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C in Green with a 1,996cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P821 DAU, 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 P821 DAU?

You can check the full history of P821 DAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P821 DAU registered?

P821 DAU is a 1996 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 15 August 1996.

Is P821 DAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P821 DAU shows 22 tests with a 81.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P821 DAU 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 P821 DAU. 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.