1985 MERCEDES 2802.7L PETROL

The vehicle currently presents a concerning roadworthiness status due to a worsening trend in structural integrity. While the car passed its most recent MOT on 26 July 2023 at 104,620 miles, this followed a failure just one week prior. That failure revealed critical structural weaknesses, specifically identifying excessive corrosion on the offside rear suspension mounting and the offside lower seat belt anchorage. These defects represent a significant reduction in structural strength of the inner and outer sills, indicating that rust has progressed beyond the minor corrosion noted in 2022. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 41-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,552 miles per year. Data shows a significant period of inactivity between August 2018 at 104,274 miles and July 2022 at 104,585 miles, where only 311 miles were recorded. This suggests the car sat for long periods, which often contributes to the degradation of rubber components, such as the perishing fuel pipes and deteriorated joint dust covers noted in the 2017 test. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the inner and outer sills to ensure the repairs made after the July 2023 failure are sound and effective. The recurring issues with steering box free play and oil leaks since 2017 and 2018 suggest that the drivetrain and steering seals require close attention. Furthermore, the history of binding calipers and fluctuating brake discs indicates that the braking system may be prone to seizure or uneven wear given the low-mileage, intermittent periods of use.