2002 Mercedes E 2.1L Diesel · KR52 JDX

Based on the official DVSA MOT records, this 2002 Mercedes E-Class presents a mixed maintenance picture with a stable but incomplete recent history. The most recent test on 29 March 2022 at 129,708 miles passed, but flagged a defective front exhaust mounting and a minor rear exhaust leak, indicating the exhaust system has been deteriorating gradually since at least 2021. The 2021-04-15 failure at 119,837 miles is the most concerning entry: the tester found excessively worn suspension arm ball joints, excessively corroded brake pipes on both rear sides, and service brake efficiency below requirements. That the car passed just eleven days later on 26 April 2021 suggests those critical items were addressed, yet the underlying pattern of corrosion and wear on brake lines and suspension components remains a recurring theme across multiple test cycles. The mileage profile tells an unusual story. Between the February 2020 test at 118,549 miles and the April 2021 test at 119,837 miles, the car covered only 1,288 miles in over twelve months. Then, between April 2021 and March 2022, it added 9,862 miles in roughly eleven months. The recorded mileage has remained frozen at 129,708 miles since the March 2022 test, meaning the car has accumulated zero miles in over four years as of today, 17 June 2026. This extended period of non-use raises its own concerns: brake calipers can seize, tyres can flat-spot and perish, fuel can degrade, and rubber bushes can dry out from standing rather than use. A buyer should treat the current MOT as stale evidence of roadworthiness. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on three areas the MOT record repeatedly highlights. First, the brake system: corroded brake pipes appeared in 2019 and were severe enough to cause a failure in 2021, so a thorough check of all rigid and flexible brake lines for pitting, moisture weeping, and structural integrity is essential, especially given four years of standing. Second, the suspension: the 2021 failure for a worn upper arm ball joint suggests the front end has taken knocks, and a close inspection of all suspension bushes, track rod ends, and coil springs for cracking or sag is warranted. Third, the exhaust: minor leaks and a defective mounting have appeared in consecutive tests, so check the full exhaust for corrosion at joints, hangers, and the catalytic converter housing. Tyre condition deserves attention too; the 2019 advisory for cracking and perishing front tyres, combined with four years of static storage, means all four tyres and the spare should be checked for sidewall damage and date codes regardless of remaining tread depth.