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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ UNKNOWNs year 2003

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

mot history
Pass percent:60.11%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ UNKNOWN year 2003 passes without issue)
Based on:188 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment12
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))7
Registration plate lamp issues7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|6
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively5
Registration plate issues5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))3
Brakes imbalanced across an axle3
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||3
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort3
Brake pipe excessively corroded3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||3
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii))2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|2
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Rear brake binding2
Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.2.2 |a| |ii||2
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Offside Front Steering lock stop incorrectly adjusted (2.1.4 (b))1
Central Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))1
Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Road wheel fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Emergency exit door does not latch securely closed (9.1.2 (a))1
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill around jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Vehicle Identification Number has more than one different number displayed (0.2 (c))1
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 Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside both |1.8|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Upper Outline marker lamp not working |4.2.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Upper Outline marker lamp missing |4.2.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |4.4.3 |a||1
Brake linkage has restricted free movement handbrake cable linkages seized |1.1.15 |e||1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Rear Exhaust system insecure silencer bracket broken (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Rear Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases silencer holed by corrosion (6.1.2 (a))1
Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))1
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Front Suspension levelling valve damaged or deteriorated and function is seriously affected (5.3.5 (b) (ii))1
Rear Suspension levelling valve damaged or deteriorated and function is seriously affected (5.3.5 (b) (ii))1
Front Suspension system inoperative (5.3.5 (a))1
Rear Suspension system inoperative (5.3.5 (a))1
Offside Front Leaf spring anchor pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii))1
Bonnet seriously at risk of opening inadvertently (3.1 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))1
Nearside Front Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))1
Nearside Front Cab steps so insecure it is likely to cause injury (6.2.8 (a) (ii))1
Exhaust system insecure Rear section held in by propshaft (6.1.2 (a))1
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (8.1.1 (a))1
Bonnet primary retaining device excessively deteriorated (3.1 (c))1
Rear Suspension component leaking (5.3.5 (c))1
Front Suspension component leaking (5.3.5 (c))1
Emissions unable to be completed Due to damage to exhaust system (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute all |1.4.A.2g|1
Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Offside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Rear fog lamp does not face the rear |4.5.4 |a||1
Towbar fractured seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.1.6 |i| |i||1
Offside Rear Seat belt missing |7.1.2 |a||1
Central Front Lower Exhaust silencer likely to become detached (8.1.1 (b) (ii))1
Rear Upper Stop lamp(s) emits other than a steady red light (4.3.3 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Leaf spring fractured TOP LEAF (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Front Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))1
Brake leaking air and system functionality adversely affected SUSPECT AIR DRYER ROTTED THROUGH (1.1.21 (b) (ii))1
Offside All direction indicators not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))1
Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))1
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Wheel bearing has excessive play n/s/f (5.1.3 (a) (i))1
Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))1
Rear fog lamp not working o/s/r fog not working also cover missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Position lamp lens seriously defective side markers inop (4.2.1 (b))1
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve seized but ABS functioning (1.1.17 (c) (i))1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Drivers seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Emissions not tested readings N/A due to exhaust system |7.4.B.1|1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Service brake excessively binding NSF/ OSR/ (1.2.1 (f))1
Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced NS/OS INNER SILL AREA FRONT TO REAR (6.1.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced CHASSIS STEP AREA (6.1.1 (a) (i))1
Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced NSR/OSR INNER QUARTER PANNEL (6.1.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Body has an unsafe modification inner wheel arch |6.2.1 |d| |i||1
Offside Rear Body has an unsafe modification inner wheel arch |6.2.1 |d| |i||1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached |5.3.4 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Entrance/exit step in such a condition as to affect the stability of passengers during use corrosion (9.7 (a) (iii))1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Seat belt flexible stalk damaged drivers seat (7.1.2 (b) (i))1
Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases corroded (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp fault when brake pedal is pressed (4.2.3 (c))1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Lower Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Door step |6.1.1 |c| |i||1
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect |4.1.2 |c||1
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective Fourth single seat |7.1.2 |e||1
Power steering pipe/hose leaking under nearside front wheel arch (2.1.5 (a))1
Offside Braking system leaking air tank (1.1.3 (d))1
Front Exhaust system insecure at flexi (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting behind front step at body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))1
Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting behind step beside body mount (6.2.2 (d) (i))1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1
Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Offside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))1
Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))1
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
All position lamps not working Both side Markers |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Brake fluid not visible (1.1.10 (d) (iii))1
Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Rear Position lamp not working both marker light (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Indicator switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear All position lamps not working Marker light |1.1.A.3b|1
Horn not working |1.6.2a|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Inner Road wheel badly damaged |4.2.A.1a|1
Centre Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Prop shaft bearing mounting. |6.1.B.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn both sides |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn both sides |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Rear All position lamps not working marker |4.2.1 |a||1
Nearside Rear Parking |secondary brake| on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel |1.3.1 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear Parking |secondary brake| on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel |1.3.1 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Fuel tank leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Drivers door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))1
Nearside Rear Upper Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible o/s and n/s. LED bulbs fitted (4.1.4 (c))1
Rear Braking system leaking union that splits to the handbrake units (1.1.3 (d))1
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner arch (2.1.2 (e) (i))1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned fog light on near side not on off side (4.5.4 (a))1
Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp fog light stays on (4.5.4 (b))1
Nearside Rear Outline marker lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working affected by side light (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting as marked (6.2.2 (d) (i))1
Offside Front Seat belt buckle missing drivers seat (7.1.2 (d))1
Windscreen washer not working 1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working side indicator (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Offside Front Axle king pin is loose in the axle beam (5.1.2 (d) (i))1
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.5 |b| |i||1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Offside Rear Leaf spring main leaf fractured |5.3.1 |b| |ii||1
Offside Windscreen damaged and affecting the drivers view of the road (3.2 (a) (ii))1
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))1
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Speedometer cannot be illuminated (7.8 (c) (ii))1
Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned Rear fog on N/S (4.5.4 (a))1
Rear Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Rear Prop shaft securing bolt missing (6.1.7 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking (1.1.3 (d))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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury (6.2.1 (a) (i))1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arches (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch and inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))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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