2003 Mercedes A-Class 1.4L Petrol · KN53 POF

The latest MOT on 10 March 2022 shows a pass for the vehicle but also a failure on the same day for several serious items: the engine MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) is inoperative, the near‑side headlamp aim is incorrect and its lens is slightly defective, and both front and near‑side rear brake pipes are corroded and covered in grease. The brake‑pipe corrosion is the only defect that also appears in the 2019 and 2021 MOTs, indicating a recurring issue. In 2021 the car failed for an excessively corroded off‑side rear brake pipe, a fractured near‑side rear coil spring, and an excessively worn near‑side front lower suspension arm ball‑joint. Those suspension‑related faults have not re‑appeared in the 2022 record, but the persistent brake‑pipe corrosion suggests the problem is not being fully resolved. Overall the defect trend is worsening rather than stabilising. While the 2021‑01‑29 test was clean, each subsequent MOT adds new safety‑related failures, especially the brake‑pipe corrosion which has been noted three times. The appearance of an inoperative MIL and headlamp faults in the most recent test adds further concern. The recorded mileage of 103,950 mi over 23 years works out to about 4,500 mi per year – well below the typical average for a vehicle of this age. Low annual mileage can mean the car has been lightly used, but it may also indicate long periods of inactivity, which can accelerate corrosion on brake pipes and other steel components. For a prospective buyer the first checks should be: Inspect all brake pipes (front and rear, both sides) for rust, cracks or leaks and confirm they have been properly repaired or replaced.