How much does a 2003 MERCEDES V cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 MERCEDES V?

The 2003 MERCEDES V has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 133 tests in 2026. This ranks 388 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year MERCEDES V is most reliable?

The 2024 MERCEDES V has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 52%.

MERCEDES V (2003)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 MERCEDES V?

The average mileage for a 2003 MERCEDES V is 126,103 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 133 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2151cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Diesel2151cc23 years old133 tests126k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2151cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2151cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,395

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 23 years old, 66% of MERCEDES Vs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 133 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 126,103 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars388th of 445(top 87%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1390th of 1,408(top 99%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average-6%(72% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-21%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

126,103

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 MERCEDES V has 126,103 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2024 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 52%. The 2003 sits between the two at 66%.

MERCEDES V by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	97%	74	12,396 mi
2023	96%	188	35,586 mi
2022	93%	107	37,213 mi
2021	89%	398	29,456 mi
2020	88%	599	54,337 mi
2019	91%	5,899	88,757 mi
2018	87%	5,799	96,207 mi
2017	88%	5,197	117,261 mi
2016	88%	3,460	126,363 mi
2015	87%	2,251	144,371 mi
2010	83%	47	64,603 mi
2008	73%	41	80,371 mi
2007	82%	44	64,512 mi
2003	66%	133	126,103 mi
2002	74%	257	159,077 mi
2001	72%	202	128,393 mi
2000	61%	141	86,965 mi
1999	71%	176	116,167 mi
1998	64%	140	97,675 mi
1997	52%	56	100,667 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2005 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

+6%

HONDA CIVIC

2005 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,050/year

73%

+7%

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

2005 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

+6%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

2005 · 2600cc Diesel

£2,050/year

78%

+12%

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About the 2003 MERCEDES V

The 2003 MERCEDES V is a family car with a 2151cc diesel engine. 133 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 87% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 126,103 miles at 23 years old, MERCEDES V owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 MERCEDES V Fuel Costs

The 2151cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 V?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MERCEDES V Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES Vs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 22 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 MERCEDES V

At 23 years old, the MERCEDES V 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2024 model has the highest pass rate at 97%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 MERCEDES V's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 126k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 V stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES V(2003)	66%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2395
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2005)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£668
HONDA CIVIC(2005)	73%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2005)	78%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£2050-£345

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.