Mercedes Motor Home (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 84 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

2700cc Diesel

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2,641/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Diesel2700cc23 years old84 tests71k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2700cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Car rate estimate; motorhomes are taxed differently

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Mercedes brand average of 87%.

73% of MOT tests on Mercedes Motor Homes from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 84 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 71,372 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models214th of 429(top half)

Rank among Mercedes models1288th of 1,376(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-9%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average+1%(72% avg)

vs Mercedes average-14%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

71,372

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Mercedes Motor Home had 71,372 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Mercedes Motor Home by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	69%	42	87,676 mi
2004	87%	31	54,915 mi
2003	73%	84	71,372 mi
2002	70%	70	90,013 mi
2001	81%	37	76,901 mi
1999	72%	36	95,958 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Transporter

2005 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,641/year

72%

-1%

Fiat Ducato

2005 · 2988cc Diesel

£2,641/year

77%

+4%

Ford Transit

2005 · 2402cc Diesel

£2,641/year

70%

-3%

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About the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home

The 2003 Mercedes Motor Home is a motorhome. Our records list a 2700cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 84 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 71,372 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mercedes Motor Home owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2003 Mercedes Motor Home Fuel Costs

The 2700cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 Mercedes Motor Home?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,641 (£220/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2003 Mercedes Motor Home

At 23 years old, the Mercedes Motor Home is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 84 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mercedes Motor Home(2003)	73%	£1,676	£410	n/a	£2,641
Volkswagen Transporter(2005)	72%	£1,676	£410	n/a	£2,641same
Fiat Ducato(2005)	77%	£1,676	£410	n/a	£2,641same
Ford Transit(2005)	70%	£1,676	£410	n/a	£2,641same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home

Is the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of MOT tests on 2003 Mercedes Motor Homes ended in a pass, from 84 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Mercedes Motor Home cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,641 a year (£220 a month): £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Mercedes Motor Home?

73% of 84 MOT tests on the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 214th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (top half).

What is the average mileage for a 2003 Mercedes Motor Home?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Mercedes Motor Home is 71,372 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.