2003 Mercedes-Benz C 1.8L Petrol · PN53 VJA
2003 Mercedes-Benz C (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 2003. Recorded mileage 151,570 miles. MOT status: Failed. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- MERCEDES-BENZ C
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 151,570 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
PN53 VJA Key Findings
- 21 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT failed on 17/01/2022
- 151,570 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PN53 VJA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
21 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Mercedes-Benz C (PN53 VJA) between September 2006 and January 2022.
The record contains 14 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 17 January 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (6 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”; “Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))”.
PN53 VJA Mileage History
- 05/09/200644,098 mi
- 20/11/200754,347 mi+10,249 mi
- 21/11/200754,347 mi
- 24/11/200864,115 mi+9,768 mi
- 25/11/200864,166 mi+51 mi
- 21/11/200974,118 mi+9,952 mi
- 21/11/200974,118 mi
- 27/11/201085,366 mi+11,248 mi
- 17/11/201195,902 mi+10,536 mi
- 18/11/201195,902 mi
- 23/11/2012105,046 mi+9,144 mi
- 23/11/2012105,046 mi
- 25/11/2013115,480 mi+10,434 mi
- 22/11/2014125,366 mi+9,886 mi
- 10/10/2015133,354 mi+7,988 mi
- 14/09/2017143,477 mi+10,123 mi
- 28/09/2017143,477 mi
- 12/09/2018145,615 mi+2,138 mi
- 26/09/2019148,146 mi+2,531 mi
- 29/10/2020150,021 mi+1,875 mi
- 17/01/2022151,570 mi+1,549 mi
Average of roughly 6,994 miles per year across 21 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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MERCEDES-BENZ C Model Intelligence & Reliability
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Valeo radiator gearbox contaminationSerious
Radiator can leak coolant into the transmission fluid, destroying the gearbox.
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- Rust on arches, sills and bootlidSerious
W203s are notorious for corrosion around the wheel arches, sills and bootlid edges. Structural corrosion on sills and subframe mounting areas is an MOT failure.
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