2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL5.0L Petrol

The 2025‑11‑27 MOT at 72,171 miles records a clean pass with no defects, indicating that the vehicle is presently roadworthy and that the maintenance trend has stabilized after a series of corrective actions. The preceding 2025‑10‑28 test revealed brake pad wear, disc scoring and a serious fluid leak from the near‑side front shock absorber, but the subsequent test shows all faults have been remedied. At an estimated 3,280 miles per year the odometer reading is low for a 22‑year‑old Mercedes‑Benz SL, suggesting periods of limited use or extended storage. Mileage rose modestly from 65,308 miles in June 2020 to 67,868 miles by June 2022, then accelerated to 72,166 miles by October 2025, a gain of roughly 4,300 miles in just over a year, indicating increased usage in recent months. Recurring observations include persistent misting of oil from the front shock absorbers, intermittent wear of front brake pads and discs, and documented excessive play in the lower suspension ball joints on two occasions in 2016. Additional notes of a damaged windscreen, a non‑functional interior door latch, and minor mirror damage appear sporadically, while no structural rust or chassis defects have been recorded. A buyer should therefore inspect the condition of the front suspension bushes and ball joints for play or corrosion, verify the integrity of the shock absorber seals and absence of fluid leaks, measure brake pad thickness and examine disc surface for deep scoring, test the door latch mechanism, and look for any signs of rust on the chassis or suspension mounting points.