2012 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · F28 JPH

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following the October 2025 MOT at 159,615 miles, which recorded no defects. However, the same day a failure at 159,612 miles highlighted excessive wear on the near‑side and off‑side front lower suspension arm ball joints and a dangerous cut in the off‑side rear tyre, indicating that suspension and tyre condition have deteriorated since the previous successful test at 145,565 miles in October 2024. Over the 14‑year lifespan the mileage has risen from 23,667 miles in November 2015 to 159,615 miles in October 2025, averaging 11,401 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage for a 2012 E‑Class. The most rapid increase occurred between January 2019 (89,669 miles) and December 2019 (110,749 miles), a gain of 21,080 miles in eleven months, while the interval from October 2024 (145,565 miles) to October 2025 (159,615 miles) added 14,050 miles, suggesting consistent but not excessive annual usage. Recurring faults point to a pattern of suspension and brake wear: ball joint deterioration first noted in 2022 (128,062 miles) re‑appeared in 2025, while front tyre wear close to the legal limit was recorded in 2024 and again in 2025, and the off‑side rear tyre cut in 2025 signals possible neglect of tyre inspection. Brake pad thinning, parking brake inefficiency, and slight play in the front wheel bearing have been documented since 2021, indicating that the braking system has not been fully serviced. A buyer should therefore examine the condition of the front and rear suspension arms, ball joints and rear arm bushings for excessive play or corrosion, verify the integrity of the off‑side rear tyre and any other tyre tread depth, inspect the brake discs for pitting or scoring, test the parking brake efficiency, and look for structural rust on the chassis, wheel arches and suspension mounting points, as these components have shown repeated wear and potential safety risk.