MERCEDES 3001984 · 3.0L DIESEL

The vehicle shows a history of deferred maintenance and recurring mechanical issues regarding the suspension and braking systems. In the most recent test in December 2021 at 163,830 miles, the car passed after a failure just days prior due to a fractured offside rear anti-roll bar mounting. While the vehicle passed, the record reveals long-standing concerns including a fluctuating nearside rear service brake and a steering box with persistent slight free play. The presence of corrosion on all coil springs and surface rust across the underside suggests that age-related degradation is being unaddressed despite the structural integrity currently remaining intact. At 163,830 miles over 42 years, the car has averaged approximately 3,900 miles per year. This low annual mileage often correlates with the degradation of rubber-based components, which is evidenced by the 2020 and 2021 records where multiple tyres were flagged as being between 14 and 16 years old, frequently worn to the legal limit or showing uneven inner wear. This pattern indicates that while the car is driven infrequently, it has likely sat neglected for long periods, allowing tyres to dry rot and wear out under their own weight. The braking system demonstrates a clear trend of instability. Between 2020 and 2021, the tester repeatedly noted imbalanced brakes, binding calipers, and fluctuating performance. The 2020 test specifically highlighted a pitted offside front brake disc and loose or missing brake back plates. Furthermore, the report of corrosion on the nearside front floor pan in 2021, while not yet a failure point, marks the beginning of a structural concern that at this age will require close monitoring to ensure the rust does not progress into a perforation.