Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A?

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 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A?

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 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A?

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.

Is the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 279 vehicles, the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.1%, 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 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A?

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 C180 Komp. Classic SE A (2004)

279 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.1% first-time pass rate

2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A

CarHunch analysed 279 real MOT records for the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A. 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 MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2004 Mercedes C180 is a serious reliability concern: only 4.9% of these cars pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and petrol versions have a 0% pass rate on first attempt across 261 vehicles tested. While dangerous defects are rare at 0%, the structural failure rate is alarming enough that any buyer should treat this model with extreme caution.

At an average mileage of 113,805 miles for a 20-year-old car, these are well-used examples, which partly explains the struggles—but the near-total failure to pass first time suggests systemic issues beyond simple age. Have a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist non-negotiable; the low advisory rate (0.0 per vehicle) combined with the catastrophic pass rate indicates problems that aren't being flagged in routine checks until MOT time.

We have limited data for the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

75.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.1

Over 1.3 tests on record

Low

These stats describe 279 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 279 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A

Based on MOT data from 279 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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 (94%)	261	—	0

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,078 Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 54.5%

588

Blue 21.4%

231

Black 20.3%

219

Red 1.7%

Grey 0.8%

Green 0.6%

Beige 0.6%

MOT History Averages

1.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.1

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes C180 Komp. Classic SE A: All C180 Komp. Classic SE A years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2005 2006 2007

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Average reliability — agree?