2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2.9L Diesel · AF02 LEW

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class presents a stable and improving mechanical trend, culminating in a clean pass on 4 April 2025 at 153,592 miles with zero defects recorded. Prior to this, the vehicle endured a failed test on 15 August 2022 at 111,178 miles, though the record curiously lists no specific defects for that failure. The subsequent retest on the same day at 111,179 miles passed without issue, and the following three consecutive annual tests have cleared the vehicle entirely. This trajectory indicates that whatever caused the 2022 failure was rectified immediately, and the car has since required no remedial work to meet DVSA standards. Covering roughly 19,199 miles per year, the mileage accumulation sits notably high for an executive saloon of this age. Between the August 2022 test at 111,178 miles and the April 2023 test at 127,807 miles, the car covered 16,629 miles in just eight months. The pace remained aggressive through April 2024, reaching 139,901 miles, before dropping sharply to just 13,691 miles over the subsequent twelve months leading to the April 2025 test. This recent drop in annual mileage suggests a shift in usage, potentially from sustained high-speed motorway commuting to shorter, local journeys, which can introduce different wear patterns on components like the exhaust system and diesel particulate filter. Despite the clean MOT record, the high mileage and the anomalous 2022 failure warrant a thorough physical inspection. A buyer should closely examine the structural integrity of the underbody and suspension mounts, as 153,592 miles will test even the robust S-Class air suspension system. Check for leaks around the struts and listen for compressor issues during startup. Brake discs and pads require close scrutiny for lipping and wear, given the substantial mileage covered. The absence of recorded defects for the August 2022 failure remains a data anomaly; verifying the vehicle's service history will clarify whether this was an administrative error or a rectified mechanical issue. Inspect the condition of the tyres and exhaust system, ensuring no fresh corrosion has developed since the last test three months ago.