Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

41% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 413 vehicles, the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz Cl 500 (2003)

413 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80% first-time pass rate

2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

CarHunch analysed 413 real MOT records for the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 413 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 CL 500 matches the UK average pass rate at 80%, but that masks a serious concern: 40.9% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point, well above typical thresholds and a genuine red flag for potential buyers. This is a high-mileage luxury coupe where structural and safety issues appear alarmingly common, despite the respectable headline pass figure.

At nearly 77,500 miles on average, these cars are running fairly hard for their age, yet they're racking up an average of nearly 22 advisories per test—suggesting creeping wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. The 3.77 average failures per vehicle indicates these aren't one-off issues; buyers should budget for ongoing maintenance and have any purchase inspected by a Mercedes specialist, not a general mechanic, to identify costly system failures before you commit.

The 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 has a decent first-time pass rate (80%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.77

Over 17.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

76k

Middle half: 57k–95k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 413 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 413 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500

Based on MOT data from 413 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	410	79.9%	3.77

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,209 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 44.9%

1,889

Black 29.2%

1,227

Blue 16.4%

690

Grey 4.6%

194

Red 1.4%

Green 1%

White 0.9%

Purple 0.8%

Gold 0.4%

Maroon 0.3%

Beige 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

75,894

typical

57,205

low mileage

95,496

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 vehicles fall between 57,205 and 95,496 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,205 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 57,205–95,496 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s sit.

⚠ Over 128,919 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 43% of 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 142 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.77

Avg failures per vehicle

21.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz Cl 500: All Cl 500 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 500 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing