2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class · 4,308 MOT tests
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 41.2% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 16 M-Class years (4,308 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- 41.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz M-Classs: 27%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 129,583
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,308
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 9.8% of tests fail here (95% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 44% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.6%
- Suspension15.5%
- Brakes14.5%
- Steering9.8%
- Body, chassis and structure6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 5.18%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.06%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.99%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.2%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.16%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.51%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (24.47%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.34%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.46%) · Brake pads wearing thin (10.91%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (9.68%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.64%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz M-Class year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz M-Class, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Classs fail 41.2% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 16 M-Class years (4,308 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOT?
Most often track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.18% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.06% of tests), position lamp not working (4.99% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows 129,583 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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