MOT failure for dash warning message

[Belle427]

I am selling my late fathers 2005 Mercedes C180K and it has an error showing up in the dash central display related to ESP not available.
The abs/management lights are not on, it is just on the cars on board system.
I have code read it and its related to the steering angle sensor behind the wheel, I have looked for the part on ebay but as the part numbers on them have to be the same I have drawn a blank.
I don`t really want to spend the money on it so have listed it warts and all but its due an MOT in October.
I just wondered if anyone knew if this is an MOT failure?
You can get rid of the message but just scrolling through the menu but it always comes back on when you turn the car off and on again, I just would like to clarify if its a fail point for any prospective buyer.
I f there is any doubt I will just pop in to my MOT guy and ask.

[Trevor555]

I'm going from distant memory here, so don't shoot me if I'm wrong.

Isn't there a process on some older Mers where by going from lock, to lock, on the steering, and doing something else, resets that?

Worth a google, or an ask with a garage familiar with Mercs of that age.

[Belle427]

Tried that but no luck, the code relates to a steering angle sensor internal fault code C1172.

[E-bmw]

Belle427 said:

The abs/management lights are not on, it is just on the cars on board system.

Do the lights illuminate & turn back off like they should on start up?

[cuprabob]

You could post the question on this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Belle427]

E-bmw said:

Belle427 said:

The abs/management lights are not on, it is just on the cars on board system.

Do the lights illuminate & turn back off like they should on start up?

Yes all as normal.

Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 29th July 17:10

[Belle427]

cuprabob said:

You could post the question on this thread

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thanks, will do.

[Doesitdrive]

Just had similar with a 645ci that sat for a year or so, was jump started while on lock, it fked got same issue.

It needs the right software to reset unless there is a cheat for it out there.

[s p a c e m a n]

I had an ML of that vintage that did something similar, whenever someone used the steering wheel as a hand hold to get into or out of the seat it would throw a steering angle sensor fault.

Pushing the bottom of the steering wheel with my knees or pulling back down from the top would always fix it, worth a go.

[Belle427]

I have seen that a remove/strip/clean of the sensor sometimes works but I don't really want to get into that.

[E-bmw]

Belle427 said:

E-bmw said:

Belle427 said:

The abs/management lights are not on, it is just on the cars on board system.

Do the lights illuminate & turn back off like they should on start up?

Yes all as normal.

Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 29th July 17:10

It shouldn't fail then.

[InitialDave]

The strict wording of 7.12(e) is "ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction"

Also note the wording "you should only fail a vehicle if you’re certain that the warning lamp is indicating an ESC malfunction".

If the relevant light itself for the ESP/ESC system is turning on and then off "normally" at start up, then technically it's not a fail. If the dash message is considered to be the warning lamp, it doesn't state there's a fault, just that it's not currently available.

[Belle427]

Thanks all, the car sold earlier and the buyer was well aware of the issue so everyones happy.

[snotrag]

Bit late now but Steering Angle Sensor needs resetting. Often just driving it and doing some full lock left-right-left etc will clear it.