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SH53 UCL

2003 Mercedes-benz A-class

Black Petrol 1397cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Aug 2025
Tests24 (17 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate70.8%

Mileage

54,240 mi
Last recorded54,240 miles
Recorded on14 Aug 2025
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz A-class59,196 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSH53 UCL
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelA-class
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,397cc

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

17 pass 7 fail
Fail 14 Aug 2025 54,240 miles

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

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush very worn so much so that tyre has been rubbing in inner arch liner (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking points have collapsed up and corroded away (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking points have collapsed up and corroded away (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule hose also perishing (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule hose also perishing (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all rear arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

rear arches corroded

Pass 13 Aug 2024 51,266 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear subframe and underside of vehicle corroded

exhaust silencer outer skin corroded

Fail 23 Jul 2024 51,265 miles

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

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect o/s and n/s (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Anti-lock braking system component excessively damaged abs ring (1.6 (e))

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

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and badly perished between tread (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear subframe and underside of vehicle corroded

exhaust silencer outer skin corroded

undertrays fitted

Pass 27 Jul 2023 46,901 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

exhaust middle section box outer skin corroded and partially insecure

slight play at steering wheel

tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside rear

undertrays and sill covers fitted

Fail 18 Jan 2023 46,901 miles

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

Front Service brake grabbing severely (1.2.1 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

undertrays and sill covers fitted

Pass 1 Feb 2022 43,245 miles

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front 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 Anti-lock braking system component slightly damaged (1.6 (e))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

unable to fully inspect underside of vehicle and sills due to covers

Fail 1 Feb 2022 43,245 miles

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front 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 Anti-lock braking system component slightly damaged (1.6 (e))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

unable to fully inspect underside of vehicle and sills due to covers

Pass 3 Feb 2021 41,320 miles

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge nearside and offside (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-lock braking system component slightly damaged ring broken but still functional (1.6 (e))

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

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

Fail 19 Jan 2021 41,319 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords inside wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-lock braking system component slightly damaged ring (1.6 (e))

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jun 2019 38,042 miles

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Jun 2019 38,041 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2018 36,539 miles

some components on underside of vehicle corroded but not seriously weakend

Fail 2 Jul 2018 36,535 miles

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

some components on underside of vehicle corroded but not seriously weakend

Pass 10 Jul 2017 35,171 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2016 33,508 miles

Nearside Rear tyre wall is perrished

Pass 4 Aug 2015 31,718 miles

Nearside Rear tyre slightly perished

Offside Rear tyre slightly perished round outer edge

Pass 1 Aug 2014 30,164 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both rear tyre side walls are perrished

Pass 22 Jul 2013 28,655 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2012 27,284 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 1 Aug 2011 25,922 miles

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

Pass 16 Aug 2010 24,921 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2009 23,334 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2008 21,164 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2006 15,790 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz A-class?

Based on 4,204,702 MOT tests across 368,463 vehicles.

77.6%
Pass Rate
5,763
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
368,463
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 63,616
Brake pipe excessively corroded 58,529
Stop lamp not working 50,991
Registration plate lamp not working 41,728
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 38,250
Full Mercedes-benz A-class reliability report

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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

SH53 UCL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz A-class in Black with a 1,397cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.8%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz A-class models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.0% with a typical mileage of 59,196 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 A-class fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 63,616 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SH53 UCL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz A-class typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz A-class is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SH53 UCL?

You can check the full history of SH53 UCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SH53 UCL registered?

SH53 UCL is a 2003 Mercedes-benz A-class, first registered on 15 October 2003.

Is SH53 UCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for SH53 UCL shows 24 tests with a 70.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SH53 UCL 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 SH53 UCL. 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.