2004 MERCEDES C1.8L PETROL

The vehicle presents a stable and generally improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 17 December 2025 at 73,782 miles. The most recent test recorded only a minor advisory for an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit, a straightforward consumable item. This follows a pattern of consistent, low-mileage use and responsible upkeep, with the previous two tests in 2022 and 2021 passing with zero defects. The record suggests a conscientious owner who addresses issues promptly, as evidenced by the resolution of multiple suspension advisories noted in 2023. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 2004 vehicle. Over its 22-year lifespan, it has covered just 73,782 miles, averaging roughly 3,354 miles per year. The MOT history confirms this gentle usage, with only 1,872 miles added between the October 2024 and December 2025 tests. Such low annual mileage typically reduces wear on major mechanical components but can introduce risks from prolonged standing, including deteriorated rubber bushes, seized brakes, and flat-spotted tyres. The record shows no alarming gaps in testing, indicating continuous, if light, use. The September 2023 test at 68,494 miles is the most technically informative entry. The tester flagged multiple suspension components with slight play, including both front anti-roll bar linkages, the nearside lower suspension arm bush, and both front inner suspension arm ball joints. Rear brake pads were also wearing thin. While these advisories did not constitute a failure, their simultaneous presence suggests the front suspension was approaching a service interval. A prospective buyer must physically inspect these components for deterioration, checking for perished rubber bushes and excessive play in ball joints and linkages. The recurring offside rear tyre wear noted in both 2024 and 2025 points to a possible alignment issue or a suspension geometry fault that warrants a four-wheel alignment check. Given the vehicle's age, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly on suspension mounting points and brake lines, is essential despite the clean recent pass.