2002 MERCEDES E3.2L DIESEL

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding structural integrity. While the car passed its January 2026 test at 174,391 miles, the tester identified corrosion on both the nearside and offside rear vehicle structures within 30cm of a mounting. This represents a progression from the advisories noted in 2024 and 2025, which specifically flagged general corrosion to the underside and suspension components. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,266 miles per year. Between December 2022 and January 2026, the car covered 3,591 miles, suggesting a low-intensity usage pattern in recent years. However, the gap between the December 2022 and January 2024 tests, where only 72 miles were recorded, indicates the vehicle may have sat stationary for extended periods, which often contributes to the accelerated degradation of rubber components and moisture-related corrosion. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis to determine the depth of the rust near the rear mounting points. The recurring mentions of underside and suspension corrosion across the last three tests suggest that surface rust may be transitioning into deeper structural decay. Attention should also be paid to the suspension bushings and headlamp lenses, as these were previously flagged as requiring clear attention in 2024 and 2025.