2004 Mercedes A-Class 1.4L Petrol · AG04 LUT

The vehicle maintains a roadworthy status, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of deferred steering and suspension repairs. While the most recent test in April 2025 at 75,364 miles passed, it carried advisories for a worn steering column top bearing and a distorted nearside front wheel. These issues persist from the May 2024 failure where the steering rack inner joints and track rod ends were flagged, suggesting that the owner only addresses mechanical faults once they reach failure thresholds rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 75,364 miles is exceptionally low, averaging approximately 3,426 miles per year. This low usage suggests infrequent travel, but it often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components and seals. Specifically, between April 2023 and April 2024, the vehicle covered only 1,132 miles, yet the offside rear shock absorber progressed from a light misting in 2023 to a serious fluid leak that caused a 2024 failure. A buyer must closely inspect the front-end geometry and steering assembly due to the persistent play in the steering rack and track rod joints. The distorted nearside front wheel noted in 2025 indicates a potential previous impact that may have affected the suspension arm or the wheel hub alignment. Given the low mileage and high age, the inspection should also check for perished rubber bushings and seized brake calipers, as these are common failure points on vehicles that sit stationary for long periods.