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VU53 FTA

2003 Mercedes-benz Sl

Blue Petrol 3724cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Jul 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

99,074 mi
Last recorded99,074 miles
Recorded on13 Jul 2026
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl53,586 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationVU53 FTA
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelSl
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,724cc

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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 13 Jul 2026 99,074 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective both (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all four wearing inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 Jun 2025 95,805 miles

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 6 Jun 2024 94,015 miles

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 13 Jun 2023 91,648 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Jun 2023 91,648 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 17 Jun 2022 89,524 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2022 89,524 miles

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

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 25 Nov 2020 85,686 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 22 Jul 2019 82,768 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2018 80,077 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Fail 11 Jul 2018 80,016 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Inner edge (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 17 Jul 2017 77,749 miles

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

Nearside Front inner and outer edge wear

Nearside Front inner and outer edge wear

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

Fail 17 Jul 2017 77,749 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Front inner and outer edge wear

Nearside Front inner and outer edge wear

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

Pass 12 Jul 2016 74,567 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Jul 2016 74,528 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint rear ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint rear ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

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

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

Pass 23 Jun 2015 71,580 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2015 71,559 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 9 Jul 2014 67,592 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2014 67,592 miles

Nearside Side repeater excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 27 Jun 2013 63,369 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Jul 2012 59,039 miles

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

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

Nearside Side repeater damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 18 Jun 2012 58,982 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Nearside Side repeater damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 17 Jun 2011 54,607 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2010 49,882 miles
Fail 1 Jun 2010 49,847 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Steering rack damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 1 Jun 2009 43,951 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2008 38,517 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2008 38,517 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Pass 3 Sep 2007 33,675 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2006 20,038 miles

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

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

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz Sl?

Based on 528,820 MOT tests across 35,553 vehicles.

83.4%
Pass Rate
2,023
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
35,553
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,801
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,812
Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,463
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 3,077
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,767
Full Mercedes-benz Sl reliability report

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VU53 FTA is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl in Blue with a 3,724cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.5% with a typical mileage of 53,586 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 Sl fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 8,801 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VU53 FTA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz Sl typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz Sl is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VU53 FTA?

You can check the full history of VU53 FTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VU53 FTA registered?

VU53 FTA is a 2003 Mercedes-benz Sl, first registered on 1 September 2003.

Is VU53 FTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for VU53 FTA shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VU53 FTA 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 VU53 FTA. 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.