2015 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 5.5L Petrol · N1 ONU

A recurring advisory on the nearside front shock absorber defines the mechanical narrative of this G-Class. The defect first surfaced in the July 2025 test cycle, where light oil misting was flagged before the vehicle failed that same inspection on registration plate presentation issues. Following the replacement or rectification of those plates, the car returned to the test station later the same day and passed, with the shock absorber advisory carried forward. By the August 2026 test, the advisory has been cleared entirely and the vehicle passed with no defects recorded, suggesting the unit was either replaced or the misting was insufficient to be recorded again. Aside from this single suspension item, the recorded history is largely unremarkable, with clean passes stretching back to 2020 and only minor tyre cut advisories logged in 2024 that did not compromise ply integrity. The usage profile is notably subdued for an eleven-year-old vehicle of this type. With 27,206 miles accumulated since 2015, the average annual mileage equates to roughly 2,473 miles, well below typical figures for a premium SUV. Testing has occurred consistently on an annual basis between 2020 and 2026, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use and on the road rather than laid up for extended periods. This consistent but light usage pattern reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as clutches, brake friction material, and drivetrain bearings, but it warrants close attention to components that deteriorate through age rather than use, particularly rubber seals, fluid systems, and corrosion-prone underbody structures. For a prospective buyer, the nearside front shock absorber is the priority component to investigate. Light oil misting does not constitute an immediate failure, but it indicates the damper seal is beginning to compromise and the unit will require replacement as the leak progresses. On a test drive, pay particular attention to damping behaviour over uneven surfaces; a faint knocking or a tendency for the front end to continue oscillating after a bump suggests the damper gas pressure is reducing. Listen for any clonking over sharp undulations, which would indicate internal valving wear beyond the recorded misting. Inspect the nearside front shock body for fresh oil residue or a wet sheen around the seal housing, and check that the ride height is level when parked on flat ground, as G-Class vehicles with compromised dampers can develop a slight nose-down stance over time. The 2024 tyre advisories, although minor, warrant a physical inspection of the current rubber. Cuts that do not reach the ply are not an immediate concern, but tyres fitted at that time will now be considerably aged, and age-related cracking on the sidewalls is a known failure point. On the test drive, listen for any steering vibration at speed, which could indicate wheel imbalance from a flat-spotted or deformed tyre, and verify that the tracking is straight. Under the vehicle, pay close attention to underbody condition, exhaust mounting integrity, and brake pipe corrosion, as a low-mileage but eleven-year-old vehicle can accumulate surface oxidation on ferrous components without that wear being reflected in MOT advisories. Finally, ensure the registration plates conform to current spacing and character formatting, as the 2025 failure on this specific item is a quick visual check before purchase.