2003 Mercedes C 180 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for C 180 models manufactured in 2003, based on 2,239 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all C 180 cars tested in 2003. Want to see how cars built in 2003 hold up over time?
View 2003 Mercedes C 180 vintage page → (54.8% current pass rate)2003 Mercedes C 180 MOT Analysis
The 2003 Mercedes C 180 has an MOT pass rate of 61.2% based on 2,239 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 84,055 miles on the odometer. With a 38.8% failure rate, the 2003 C 180 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2003 Mercedes C 180 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 1.5% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Suspension is the second most common issue at 1.5%. Tyres follows at 1.5%.
Top failures specific to 2003 models only. The overall C 180 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.5% | 33 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.5% | 33 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.5% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 27 |
| 5 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.2% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.4% | 9 |
| 7 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.4% | 8 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 2 |
| 9 | Non-component Advisories | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 84,055 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.18 | 1.5% | 33 |
| Suspension | 0.18 | 1.5% | 33 |
| Tyres | 0.18 | 1.5% | 33 |
| Brakes | 0.14 | 1.2% | 27 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.14 | 1.2% | 26 |
| Visibility | 0.05 | 0.4% | 9 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.4% | 8 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Wheels | 0.01 | 0.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2003 Mercedes C 180 has an MOT pass rate of 61.2% based on 2,239 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 84,055 miles on the odometer. With a 38.8% failure rate, the 2003 C 180 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2003 Mercedes C 180, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 84,055 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 1.5% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes C 180 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 1.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes C 180 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.
Tyres — 1.5% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 2003 Mercedes C 180 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.