MERCEDES-BENZ CLS2012 · 2.1L Diesel

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS presents a generally stable mechanical condition, though the most recent test on 2025-07-23 at 57,093 miles reveals an emerging concern regarding consumable wear. The tester flagged rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and wearing on the edges across the centre of the tread pattern. This specific wear pattern often hints at neglected wheel alignment or prolonged under-inflation, rather than a sudden structural failure. Overall, the maintenance trend remains steady with no recurring mechanical defects, yet the current state of the rear rubber demands immediate attention to ensure continued roadworthiness. Covering roughly 4,078 miles per year, the 57,093-mile odometer reading is exceptionally low for a 14-year-old vehicle. The MOT entries chart this sparse usage clearly. Between February 2023 at 33,478 miles and February 2024 at 48,698 miles, the car accumulated 15,220 miles, indicating a period of heavier use. However, the subsequent interval from February 2024 to July 2025 saw only 8,395 miles added over seventeen months. Such sporadic usage often leads to deterioration of rubber components and brake surfaces from standing, despite the low overall mileage. A physical inspection should focus on the drivetrain and wheel alignment, given the historical and current defects. The tester flagged split constant velocity boots on the nearside and offside rear drive shafts during the February 2023 failure at 33,445 miles. Since the vehicle passed shortly after in February 2023 and again in 2024, the boots were likely replaced, but a buyer must check for fresh splits, grease leakage, or clicking under cornering. The current rear tyre wear—specifically the edge wear and centre tread degradation—strongly suggests the wheel tracking is out of specification. Inspect the inner rear tyre sidewalls for excessive wear and examine the rear suspension bushes and coil springs for deterioration, as uneven tyre wear on this platform frequently points to suspension geometry drift rather than simple neglect.