2008 Mercedes A-Class 1.5L Petrol · AD57 WSL

The vehicle maintains a roadworthy status with a stable maintenance trend, despite recent signs of minor mechanical wear. The most recent test in April 2026 at 88,963 miles identified a light misting of oil on the offside front shock absorber. This indicates that the seal is beginning to fail, though it had not yet reached the point of a failure. This follows a period of clean records in the previous years, suggesting the vehicle has generally been well-looked after. At 18 years old, the recorded mileage of 88,963 miles is significantly low, averaging approximately 4,942 miles per year. This low usage pattern is consistent across the records, with only 1,140 miles covered between the 2025 and 2026 tests. However, low mileage on older vehicles often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components. This is evidenced in the March 2025 advisory regarding rear tyres showing perishing and cracking, a common symptom of a car that sits for long periods rather than accumulating mileage. A buyer should inspect the offside front suspension closely to ensure the oil misting does not progress into a significant leak requiring immediate replacement. Given the 2025 advisory for thin rear brake pads and perished tyres, a physical check of the braking system and tyre age is necessary to ensure these were addressed. The age of the vehicle also necessitates a thorough check for structural corrosion on the underside sills and floor pans, as these areas are prone to rust on this model regardless of the low mileage driven.