1988 Mercedes 814 6.0L Diesel · E594 XSM

This 1988 Mercedes 814 presents a clean and stable roadworthiness record. The most recent test on 3 April 2026 at 151,866 miles passed with zero defects, as did the preceding test on 8 April 2025 at 151,544 miles. The maintenance trend is stable and improving, with no recurring faults or advisories recorded across the entire available history. The mileage pattern reveals exceptionally low use for a vehicle approaching 38 years of age. Between the August 2021 test at 151,224 miles and the April 2026 test at 151,866 miles, only 642 miles were covered across nearly five years. The 2021-06-29 entry shows a failed test at 150,912 miles, yet the record lists no defects, suggesting the failure may have been administrative or procedural rather than mechanical. The gap between 2019 and 2021 shows approximately 1,578 miles accumulated over two years, consistent with light commercial or occasional use throughout. Despite the clean MOT history, the extended periods of minimal use warrant careful inspection. Buyers should examine the condition of all rubber suspension bushes, dust boots, and tyre sidewalls for perishing caused by age rather than mileage. Brake calipers, hoses, and discs should be checked for seizure or corrosion from standing. The exhaust system, fuel lines, and structural underbody must be inspected for corrosion, particularly on a vehicle of this age where rust protection standards were far below modern expectations. Door sills, chassis rails, and outriggers deserve close attention given the 1988 construction date. The absence of any recorded defects across multiple tests is a positive indicator of consistent basic upkeep. However, MOT records only capture a snapshot on test day and cannot substitute for a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified specialist familiar with older Mercedes commercial vehicles.