2003 Mercedes CL 500 5.0L Petrol · DV52 ZMO

The vehicle presents a concerning maintenance trend characterized by a recurring pattern of deferred repairs rather than proactive care. While the most recent test in January 2022 at 131,264 miles resulted in a pass, it followed an immediate failure for an illegal offside rear tyre. The mechanical history shows that the owner typically only addresses faults once they result in an MOT failure. Given that no MOT data has been recorded for over four years, the vehicle is currently overdue for its test and its present roadworthiness is entirely unverified. At 131,264 miles over 23 years, the car averages approximately 5,700 miles per year, which is significantly low for a performance saloon of this age. However, the data reveals a notable gap between January 2021 and January 2022, where only 7,106 miles were covered. This low-frequency usage often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components and seals due to inactivity, which aligns with the recurring issues of deteriorated dust covers and leaking suspension components noted in the record. A physical inspection must focus heavily on the front and rear suspension assemblies, which have shown consistent wear. The tester flagged worn ball joints, track rod ends, and wheel bearings in 2021, followed by worn suspension arm bushes and misting shock absorbers in 2022. The buyer should also investigate the front oil leak and the exhaust leak, both of which persisted through the 2022 test without rectification. The rear brake discs were already pitted and scored in early 2022; given the low mileage, these surfaces have likely suffered from corrosion rather than mechanical wear.