2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 AMG Line Premium + E A 1.3L Hybrid electric (clean) · AB11 EXB

The defining mechanical concern surrounding this 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 AMG Line is a pattern of tyre-related defects and a suspension linkage failure emerging within a very short window, suggesting that the consumable items on this vehicle are being worked hard. On 7 August 2026 the car was presented for its MOT and failed on two majors: a nearside rear tyre with a cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords, and an offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint deemed excessively worn. Following rectification, the vehicle returned the same day and passed, retaining three advisories for the offside rear tyre worn on edge, a shallow nearside front tyre cut, and front brake disc wear with pitting or scoring on the inner surfaces. Just over a year earlier, on 31 March 2025, the car had previously failed on a major for an offside front tyre cut reaching the ply, before passing clean on 7 April 2025. Two major defects within sixteen months on a relatively young premium vehicle, combined with repeated tyre and brake advisories, indicates that wear items and structural linkages are wearing through faster than would typically be expected. With a recorded mileage of 69,266 miles over an approximate four-year span, this CLA is accumulating at roughly 17,300 miles annually, which is notably high for a premium-badged European saloon and points to sustained motorway or long-commute use rather than occasional driving. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing history to suggest the vehicle was laid up for any significant period, and the mileage recorded at successive tests is consistent with regular daily use. This level of annual mileage has direct mechanical implications: brake discs and pads, tyres, suspension bushes, anti-roll bar components, and drivetrain mounts will all be subject to accelerated wear compared with a lower-mileage equivalent, and any component that has already been flagged once is statistically more likely to require attention again in the near term. For a prospective buyer, the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint replacement recorded in August 2026 is a specific area warranting close scrutiny on a test drive. On the move, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end when traversing speed bumps, driveway kerbs, or uneven tarmac, and feel for any vagueness or rattle through the steering wheel during direction changes. Because the replacement was carried out very recently, the joint itself should be in good order, but it would be prudent to ask whether the corresponding nearside linkage and the drop links were inspected or replaced at the same time, as wear on these items tends to be asymmetric rather than isolated. Inspect the front tyres carefully for uneven shoulder wear, particularly inner-edge wear which can indicate suspension geometry issues rather than simple tyre ageing, and check the nearside rear wheel arch for any signs of the cut tyre having scrubbed against bodywork. The brake disc advisories on the front axle merit a physical inspection and a thorough road test before purchase. On a test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 40 mph and listen for judder or pulsing through the pedal, which would indicate the pitted or scored front discs have reached a serviceable limit and require machining or replacement, particularly given the high annual mileage. Confirm that the front pads were checked or renewed alongside the discs, as pitted discs and worn pads often coincide at this mileage. The repeated tyre cuts reaching the ply or cords, two occurrences in sixteen months, are also worth investigating: check that the wheels are not fouling the wheel arches under full steering lock, as kerbing or rubbing can initiate sidewall damage, and inspect all four tyres for their production date stamps and remaining tread depth across the full width, not just the edges flagged in the advisories. Finally, given the sustained high usage, a precautionary check of all fluid levels, the condition of the auxiliary drive belt, and the front lower suspension arms and bushes would be a worthwhile addition to any pre-purchase inspection.