Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

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 E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

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 E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto (2003)

191 real MOT outcomes analysed • 42.4% first-time pass rate

2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto

CarHunch analysed 191 real MOT records for the 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 37.6% below UK average

42.4%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

155,772

typical mileage

125,629–183,085 middle half

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.66

avg MOT failures per car

over 2.8 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	190	42.4%	0.64
Gas Bi-Fuel (1%)	1	44.4%	5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

125,629

low mileage

155,772

typical

183,085

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto vehicles fall between 125,629 and 183,085 miles.

2003 Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (21% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.66

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Mercedes E320 CDI Avantgarde Auto:

2004 2005