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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ MOTORs year 2003

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ MOTOR failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:75.90%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ MOTOR year 2003 passes without issue)
Based on:921 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment35
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively31
Registration plate lamp issues28
Brake pipe excessively corroded21
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|10
Brakes imbalanced across an axle7
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))6
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort6
Windscreen washer not working 6
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|5
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|5
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|4
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))4
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Rear brake binding4
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))3
Brake load sensing valve seized |3.6.E.3|3
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Horn not working |1.6.2a|3
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))3
Offside Rear Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))3
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released3
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|3
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Offside Rear Upper Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))2
Centre Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Battery insecure |1.9.1|2
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer`s specified limit |8.2.2.2 |a||2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|2
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Nearside Front Upper Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||2
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|2
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Upper Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Registration plate issues2
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired (1.1.17 (a))1
Offside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))1
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Rear Upper Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Rear Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Outline marker lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Central Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|1
Centre Rear Upper Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced A pillar to cross section under windscreen (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Brake load sensing valve seized but ABS functioning (1.1.17 (c) (i))1
Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced |4.1.4 |a||1
Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced |4.1.4 |a||1
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp side light |1.2.1f|1
Rear fog lamp switch insecure |1.3.1a|1
Rear fog lamp switch faulty |1.3.1a|1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Brake relay lever has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket inappropriately repaired |2.4.A.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
All direction indicators not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Hazard warning switch inoperative |4.4.2 |a| |ii||1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (3.3 (b) (ii))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating |1.2.1 |e||1
Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Front Valve stem seriously damaged both sides |4.1.D.1e|1
Rear Valve stem seriously damaged both sides |4.1.D.1e|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii))1
Emissions unable to be completed due to exhaust (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))1
Front brake application uneven1
Offside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Central Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii))1
Offside Rear rear brake excessively fluctuating |3.7.B.3|1
Nearside rear brake excessively fluctuating |3.7.B.3|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system burst (1.1.11 (b) (ii))1
Brake performance not tested Brake Pipe Burst (1.2.1 (g))1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Passenger`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Rear Upper Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Rear Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii))1
Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))1
Nearside Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn n/s/f lower balljoint excess play (above 3mm) (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour both |4.4.3 |a||1
Nearside Rear Upper Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Upper Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe fouled by moving parts |3.6.B.2a|1
Offside Outline marker lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.2.2 (a))1
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light |1.3.2e|1
Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting back panel |6.2.2 |d| |i||1
Offside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting back panel |6.2.2 |d| |i||1
Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting sill |6.2.2 |d| |i||1
Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting inner sills |6.2.2 |d| |i||1
Steering rack gaiter split both sides |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Centre Seat belt attachment fitting fractured |5.2.3|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Windscreen has damage1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Lower Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Rear brake application uneven1
Rear Exhaust system insecure |6.1.2 |a||1
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system |1.1.11 |b| |i||1
Brake performance not tested offside front brake pipe leaking |1.2.1 |g||1
Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))1
Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect kick off to offside of vehicle (4.1.2 (c))1
Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))1
Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front Outline marker lamp missing (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Outline marker lamp missing (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Upper Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working marker light |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Upper Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Upper Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.5 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Upper Outline marker lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Front Upper Outline marker lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Nearside Rear Brake clevis joint insecure retaining pin in clevis pin missing |1.1.15 |c||1
Nearside Rear Brake clevis joint insecure park brake clevis joint has no locking nut |1.1.15 |c||1
Offside Rear Brake clevis joint insecure park brake clevis joint has no locking nut |1.1.15 |c||1
Nearside Rear Position lamp likely to become detached (4.2.1 (c) (ii))1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))1
Rear Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Drag link end seriously misaligned |2.2.C.1b|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Towbar component insecure |6.6.1|1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Central Rear Upper Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Central Brake cable damaged Park, snapped (1.1.15 (a))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn lower arm |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre to rear pipe in 2 places (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect kick up to o/s (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect kick up yo o/s (4.1.2 (c))1
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|1
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Offside Drivers view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen significantly affected by an obstruction (3.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Outline marker lamp not working Centre (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Outline marker lamp not working Centre (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Central Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))1
Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))1
Central Exhaust silencer insecure (8.1.1 (b) (i))1
Nearside Rear Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Upper Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Rear Upper Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve seized |3.6.E.3|1
All outline marker lamps do not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps all (4.2.2 (a))1
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Offside Front Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Front Inner Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Brake pivot has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Stop lamp|s| all not working |4.3.1 |a| |iii||1
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault |7.12 |e||1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint outer |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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