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S389 RDF

1999 Mercedes-benz C

Green Diesel 2151cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Dec 2026
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

197,871 mi
Last recorded197,871 miles
Recorded on8 Dec 2025
Typical for 1999 Mercedes-benz C103,759 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS389 RDF
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelC
Year1999
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,151cc

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 7 fail
Pass 8 Dec 2025 197,871 miles

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

Plastic covers installed which stop the inspection of certain items

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 28 Nov 2025 197,820 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play NS and OS (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Plastic covers installed which stop the inspection of certain items

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 21 Nov 2024 193,153 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Nov 2023 186,134 miles

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

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Nov 2023 186,134 miles

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Nov 2022 177,980 miles

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Nov 2021 166,472 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 3 Dec 2020 162,324 miles

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

Central Rear Oil leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Oct 2019 157,388 miles

Nearside Rear 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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Nov 2018 147,268 miles

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

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))

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

Fail 8 Nov 2018 147,268 miles

Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

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

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

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

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))

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

Pass 15 Nov 2017 137,951 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit wearing off on inner & outer edges. (4.1.E.1)

Pass 17 Nov 2016 129,903 miles

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

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

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

Fail 17 Nov 2016 129,903 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 4 Nov 2015 119,583 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2015 119,583 miles

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Pass 24 Nov 2014 112,579 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

braking system components corroded

Fail 24 Nov 2014 112,579 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

braking system components corroded

Pass 20 Sep 2013 112,456 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Sep 2013 112,456 miles

Offside Rear Lower Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2012 111,588 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2011 110,249 miles

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)

Pass 26 Oct 2010 109,403 miles

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 2 Nov 2009 108,349 miles
Pass 5 Nov 2008 103,852 miles
Pass 5 Nov 2007 100,250 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2006 96,590 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2006 94,160 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

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S389 RDF is a 1999 Mercedes-benz C in Green with a 2,151cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1999 Mercedes-benz C models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.5% with a typical mileage of 103,759 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 S389 RDF, 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 27 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 S389 RDF?

You can check the full history of S389 RDF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S389 RDF registered?

S389 RDF is a 1999 Mercedes-benz C, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is S389 RDF safe to buy?

The MOT history for S389 RDF shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S389 RDF 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 S389 RDF. 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.