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ADE 3L

2003 Mercedes-benz S-class

Black Petrol 4999cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Oct 2026
Tests22 (15 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate68.2%

Mileage

78,117 mi
Last recorded78,117 miles
Recorded on16 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 Mercedes-benz S-class91,309 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationADE 3L
MakeMercedes-benz
ModelS-class
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,999cc

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

15 pass 7 fail
Pass 16 Oct 2025 78,117 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 23 Oct 2024 67,037 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2024 67,024 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Undertrays fitted to vehicle,not allowing the full inspection of the underside of vehicle

Pass 24 Oct 2023 53,889 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive gearbox (8.4.1 (a) (i))

fuel seal perished

Pass 12 Jan 2023 53,189 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light damaged (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material corroding (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 11 Jan 2023 53,187 miles

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light damaged (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive Transmission (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material corroding (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 28 Jan 2022 52,021 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside rear inner sill/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Jan 2022 52,019 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Suspension unit damaged or deteriorated and function affected offside rear air suspension unit deteriorated function affected (5.3.5 (b) (i))

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill/chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside rear exhaust heatshield loose

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 11 Jan 2021 50,927 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view cracked in top left corner (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Jan 2021 50,927 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint excessively worn spring link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view cracked in top left corner (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Jan 2020 48,645 miles

Road wheel slightly distorted offside front (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Track rod end ball joint has slight play nearside (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Jan 2019 42,875 miles

Front Wipers smear

Offside Front Suspension unit damaged but not to excess Outer gaiter split (5.3.5 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Adjacent to rear sub frame front mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 4 Jan 2019 42,875 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Wipers smear

Offside Front Suspension unit damaged but not to excess Outer gaiter split (5.3.5 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Adjacent to rear sub frame front mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 16 Jan 2018 37,829 miles

Offside Front tyre cracking on inner edge

Rear 2 x exhaust rear mounts broken off

Pass 18 Jan 2017 34,998 miles
Fail 22 Dec 2016 34,977 miles

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Offside Front H/Lamp washer missing it's directional jet but still hitting the Lens.

Rear Body has slight corrosion BOTH ! Rear chassis corroded by Front sub-frame/suspension mounts causing under-seal to peal off (6.1.B.2)

Pass 3 May 2016 34,610 miles

front and rear brake disc surface rust due to standing

nearside rear tyre cracking not reaching cords

Pass 17 Apr 2014 34,578 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2014 34,569 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Pass 26 Oct 2007 31,316 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Pass 25 Oct 2006 24,702 miles

Nearside Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Offside Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 24 Jan 2006 65,140 miles

How Reliable is the Mercedes-benz S-class?

Based on 692,220 MOT tests across 62,130 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
6,086
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
62,130
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 25,613
Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,895
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 6,706
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 6,018
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,811
Full Mercedes-benz S-class reliability report

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ADE 3L is a 2003 Mercedes-benz S-class in Black with a 4,999cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.2%.

Across all 2003 Mercedes-benz S-class models, the average MOT pass rate is 79.0% with a typical mileage of 91,309 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 S-class fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 25,613 recorded failures. If you're considering buying ADE 3L, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mercedes-benz S-class typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 23 years old, this Mercedes-benz S-class is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of ADE 3L?

You can check the full history of ADE 3L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ADE 3L registered?

ADE 3L is a 2003 Mercedes-benz S-class, first registered on 22 January 2003.

Is ADE 3L safe to buy?

The MOT history for ADE 3L shows 22 tests with a 68.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ADE 3L 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 ADE 3L. 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.