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A1 CTA

1996 Mercedes-benz E

Red Petrol 3199cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Oct 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

169,453 mi
Last recorded169,453 miles
Recorded on10 Oct 2025
Typical for 1996 Mercedes-benz E115,225 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mercedes-benz
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA1 CTA
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelE
Year1996
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,199cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 10 Oct 2025 169,453 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2025 169,453 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 22 Oct 2024 168,355 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Oct 2023 165,694 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2023 165,694 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 25 Oct 2022 164,421 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2022 164,381 miles

Offside Front Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced inner arch (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 23 Jun 2021 162,504 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

general corrosion on vehicle, chassis, body, front and rear subframes and surrounding components

Pass 3 Jun 2020 161,269 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2020 161,269 miles

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 3 Jun 2019 156,403 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2018 151,175 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2018 151,175 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both side rear (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Jun 2017 146,701 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

offside front and rear floorpans slightly corroding

Pass 17 May 2016 143,126 miles

both side front inner wheel wings corroding

Fail 21 Apr 2016 143,001 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded both side front (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe excessively corroded both side rear (3.6.B.2c)

both side front inner wings corroded

Pass 28 Apr 2015 139,480 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

both side front inner wheel arches

Fail 24 Apr 2015 139,480 miles

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

both side front inner wheel arches

Pass 30 Apr 2014 136,155 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 29 Apr 2013 133,407 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 26 Apr 2013 133,407 miles

coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 27 Apr 2012 131,049 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 28 Apr 2011 127,789 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Coolant leak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 30 Apr 2010 124,040 miles

Centre Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

streering damper slight oil leak and rear diff.

Pass 21 Apr 2009 119,752 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 1 May 2008 116,641 miles

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 May 2007 110,102 miles

Axle leaking oil

Front Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Signs of use of heat on both trck rod adjusters

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 1 May 2007 110,102 miles

Axle leaking oil

Front Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Signs of use of heat on both trck rod adjusters

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 5 May 2006 98,155 miles
Fail 3 May 2006 98,155 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz E?

Based on 4,722,746 MOT tests across 435,734 vehicles.

79.4%
Pass Rate
7,127
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
435,734
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 132,731
Brake pipe excessively corroded 57,433
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 41,321
suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint 39,376
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 37,959
Full Mercedes-benz E reliability report

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A1 CTA is a 1996 Mercedes-benz E in Red with a 3,199cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1996 Mercedes-benz E models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.0% with a typical mileage of 115,225 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Mercedes-benz E fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 132,731 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A1 CTA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz E typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 30 years old, this Mercedes-benz E is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A1 CTA?

You can check the full history of A1 CTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A1 CTA registered?

A1 CTA is a 1996 Mercedes-benz E, first registered on 9 February 1996.

Is A1 CTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for A1 CTA shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A1 CTA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A1 CTA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.