2003 Mercedes A140 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for A140 models manufactured in 2003, based on 71 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2003 Mercedes A140 MOT Analysis
The 2003 Mercedes A140 has an MOT pass rate of 49.3% based on 71 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 63,805 miles on the odometer. With a 50.7% failure rate, the 2003 A140 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Mercedes A140 is Tyres, responsible for 4.2% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 2.8%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 2.8%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall A140 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 | Tyres | 4.2% | 3 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 2.8% | 2 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.8% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 63,805 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.66 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.44 | 2.8% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.44 | 2.8% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Mercedes A140 has an MOT pass rate of 49.3% based on 71 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 63,805 miles on the odometer. With a 50.7% failure rate, the 2003 A140 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Mercedes A140, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. At 63,805 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Tyres — 4.2% of failures
Tyres issues account for 4.2% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A140 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Identification of the vehicle — 2.8% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 2.8% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A140 models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 2.8% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 2.8% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes A140 models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.