2008 Mercedes C 3.0L Diesel · KE04 ALL

The roadworthiness of this vehicle is currently undermined by a worsening trend of mechanical and electrical neglect. While it passed its latest test in February 2026 at 112,949 miles, it failed just four days prior due to critical issues including an engine management light fault, a supplementary restraint system failure, and a fuel system leak. The persistence of a brake wear warning light and low park brake effort suggests that the current owner is only addressing the minimum faults required to pass the MOT test rather than performing proactive preventative maintenance. At 112,949 miles over 18 years, the car averages approximately 6,275 miles per year, which is consistent with a low-use older executive saloon. However, the data shows a significant spike in activity between February 2025 and February 2026, where the vehicle covered over 12,000 miles in a single year. This period of increased usage coincides with a higher frequency of failures, particularly regarding tyres and wear-related components, indicating that the vehicle is now being subjected to stresses that it may not be adequately managed between annual inspections. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension and braking system. The record shows recurring issues with the nearside front wheel bearing, ball joints, and steering rack play, which indicate significant wear in the front-end geometry. The history of corrosion on brake pipes and anti-roll bars noted in 2021 requires careful re-examination to ensure that structural rust has not progressed beyond the surface level previously reported. Electrical reliability remains a major concern given the repeated failures of the SRS warning lamp and engine management systems across several years. The presence of an oil leak noted in the February 2026 test also necessitates an investigation to determine the source and potential rate of loss. Given the pattern of allowing tyres to drop to the legal limit across multiple tests, the vehicle likely has a history of reactive maintenance that could mask deeper component failure.