1978 MERCEDES-BENZ 3503.5L Petrol

The vehicle presented a stable roadworthiness profile at its most recent MOT on 16 June 2025 at 41,443 miles, where the tester passed it with no defects or advisories recorded. Prior tests on 7 June 2024 at 40,056 miles, 3 May 2023 at 40,035 miles, 4 June 2021 at 40,013 miles and 6 April 2018 at 39,990 miles all returned passes with zero faults. The maintenance trend is therefore consistent and uneventful; no recurring mechanical or structural issues appear in the official record. Mileage data shows exceptionally light use for a 1978 Mercedes-Benz. Between April 2018 and June 2021 the odometer advanced just 23 miles, then crept up 22 miles to May 2023 and 21 miles to June 2024. The single larger increment of 1,387 miles occurred from June 2024 to June 2025. Such a pattern signals prolonged storage with minimal running, followed by a modest return to occasional road use. The sparse, clean test history offers no evidence of neglected consumables or deferred repairs, though the gaps between early tests hint at periods without mandatory testing or use. Despite the unblemished MOT record, a buyer should physically inspect age-sensitive components that standing vehicles degrade silently. The tester flagged no binding calipers or corroded brake discs, but long dormancy commonly seizes handbrake mechanisms and promotes surface rust on structural members. We recommend examining suspension bushes and coil springs for cracking, checking exhaust emissions integrity against modern expectations, and assessing tyre sidewalls for perishing even if tread remains legal. Previous owners appear to have preserved the car under cover with infrequent movement, a practice that limits wear yet risks moisture-related corrosion and stiffened hydraulic components. The absence of advisories across seven years of tests suggests careful presentation at each examination, but only a workshop inspection will confirm whether the 48-year-old drivetrain and chassis remain sound beneath preserved paintwork.