2002 Mercedes SL 3.2L Petrol · PA02 ADZ

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a persistent and unresolved mechanical fault. The most recent MOT test conducted in April 2025 at 43,075 miles resulted in a pass despite a noted slight play in the front wheel bearings. This specific issue has appeared in every annual inspection dating back to May 2021, indicating that the previous owners have opted to monitor the condition rather than replace the components once the play was first identified. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,800 miles per year. Between May 2021 and April 2025, the car covered only 1,121 miles, suggesting a pattern of very infrequent use or long periods where the vehicle sat stationary in storage. While this low mileage limits the wear on the engine and drivetrain, such long intervals of inactivity often lead to the degradation of rubber-based components, seals, and the corrosion of brake hardware, which are not fully captured by a standard MOT test. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension assembly to determine if the wheel bearing play has progressed beyond a minor advisory. Because the tester flagged this fault consistently over five years, there is a high likelihood that the bearings or related hub assemblies have suffered from dry seals. Additionally, the low usage pattern necessitates a close check for perished suspension bushes, cracked sidewalls, and seized brake calipers, as these parts often fail due to age and oxidation rather than distance driven.