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

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?

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?

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 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

37% 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 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 319 vehicles, the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (91.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (90.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

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

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 (2003)

319 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82% first-time pass rate

2003 Mercedes Benz Cl

CarHunch analysed 319 real MOT records for the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 319 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL passes its MOT at 82%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, but the real concern is that 36.7% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable levels for a used purchase. This is a vehicle that demands careful pre-purchase inspection and a full service history check.

At 73,677 miles average, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging 3.18 failures and 18.8 advisories per test, suggesting that age-related deterioration outweighs gentle mileage. Before committing to ownership, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, braking system, and electrical gremlins that typically plague ageing luxury cars of this era.

The 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl has a decent first-time pass rate (82%), 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

82%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

36.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.18

Over 15.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

73k

Middle half: 54k–93k

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 18.8 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 319 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 319 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 91.2%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 48.6%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive

Brake wear 39.1%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 319 Mercedes Benz Cl cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl

Based on MOT data from 319 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 36.7% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,998 Mercedes Benz Cl vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 36.8%

1,104

Silver 36.7%

1,100

Blue 11.9%

356

Grey 5.4%

163

White 4%

120

Green 1.7%

Red 1.5%

Purple 0.9%

Gold 0.5%

Beige 0.2%

Brown 0.2%

Maroon 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl 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.

72,612

typical

53,533

low mileage

92,942

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Mercedes Benz Cl vehicles fall between 53,533 and 92,942 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 53,533 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.

✓ 53,533–92,942 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Mercedes Benz Cls sit.

⚠ Over 125,471 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 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 48% of 2003 Mercedes Benz Cls are still active.

Numbers are declining — 106 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (48% 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

15.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.18

Avg failures per vehicle

18.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing