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

Based on MOT data from 105 vehicles, the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance SE A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72%, 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. Elegance 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. Elegance SE A (2004)

105 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72% first-time pass rate

2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance SE A

CarHunch analysed 105 real MOT records for the 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance 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 Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 Mercedes C180 is a serious reliability concern: only 20.7% pass their MOT first time, less than a quarter of the UK average of 80%. Fortunately, dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, but the overall picture is one of consistent mechanical trouble that buyers should treat as a red flag.

At 122,000 miles median, these cars are high-mileage examples for their age, which partly explains the struggles, though the 0.35 failures per vehicle suggests systematic wear rather than isolated problems. Before buying, get an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine bay and suspension, as Mercedes from this generation demand expensive parts and specialist labour.

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

First-time pass

72%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.35

Over 2.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

122k

Middle half: 122k–122k

For context

These stats describe 105 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 105 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance SE A cars.

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

Based on MOT data from 105 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 (74%)	78	70%	0.04

2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance SE A — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 38% of 2004 Mercedes C180 Komp. Elegance SE As are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (38% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2023.
* 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

2.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.35

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2003

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Buyer beware — pass it on