2003 MERCEDES E5.4L PETROL

The vehicle presents a concerning mechanical history regarding its safety systems and front-end components. In the test conducted in June 2021 at 84,394 miles, the car failed due to an illuminated supplementary restraint system warning, indicating a critical fault in the artwork or seatbelt tensioner circuitry. While it passed retest later, the previous record from 2015 highlighted significant play in both the nearside and offside front tie-rods, alongside insufficient reserve travel on the parking brake lever. These issues suggest a pattern of wear on the suspension and braking assemblies that was only addressed upon inspection failure rather than through preventative maintenance. The mileage profile is relatively low for a 2003 registration, averaging approximately 3,700 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between 2014 and 2015, where the vehicle covered over 10,000 miles in a single year, followed by periods of lower usage. Since the 2017 test at 82,757 miles, the car has covered only 1,640 miles. Such low mileage can lead to the degradation of rubber components, suspension bushes, and fluid seals, despite the low mechanical wear on the engine. A buyer should prioritize a thorough inspection of the front suspension and the braking system to ensure the previous faults have been rectified effectively. The presence of a non-standard exhaust system noted across multiple tests warrants a check for structural integrity and potential emissions-related issues. Given the age of the vehicle and the low annual mileage, an evaluation of the chassis for corrosion and the condition of the artwork calipers is essential to confirm the car has not suffered from long periods of standing.