2003 Mercedes A 160 L MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for A 160 L models manufactured in 2003, based on 1,033 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all A 160 L cars tested in 2003. Want to see how cars built in 2003 hold up over time?
View 2003 Mercedes A 160 L vintage page → (47.9% current pass rate)2003 Mercedes A 160 L MOT Analysis
The 2003 Mercedes A 160 L has an MOT pass rate of 59.9% based on 1,033 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 64,972 miles on the odometer. With a 40.1% failure rate, the 2003 A 160 L is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Mercedes A 160 L is Suspension, responsible for 1.0% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Brakes is the second most common issue at 0.9%. Visibility follows at 0.6%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall A 160 L page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.9% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.6% | 6 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.5% | 5 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.1% | 1 |
| 7 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 64,972 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.15 | 1.0% | 10 |
| Brakes | 0.13 | 0.9% | 9 |
| Visibility | 0.09 | 0.6% | 6 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.07 | 0.5% | 5 |
| Tyres | 0.06 | 0.4% | 4 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Mercedes A 160 L has an MOT pass rate of 59.9% based on 1,033 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 64,972 miles on the odometer. With a 40.1% failure rate, the 2003 A 160 L is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Mercedes A 160 L, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 64,972 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 1.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A 160 L models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Brakes — 0.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A 160 L models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Visibility — 0.6% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A 160 L models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.