2002 Mercedes SL 5.0L Petrol · AV52 KZC

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend indicates a recent shift toward reactive repairs. While it passed its most recent test in June 2025 at 67,947 miles, this followed a failure just one month prior at 67,924 miles. That failure highlighted an excessive oil leak from the engine, which suggests a significant mechanical seal issue was addressed immediately before the subsequent pass. Prior to this, the vehicle maintained clean records for years. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,800 miles per year. Between May 2022 and May 2024, the car covered only 1,880 miles, indicating it sits for long periods or is used only occasionally. This low usage often leads to the degradation of rubber components, perished seals, and fluid contamination despite the low mechanical wear. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests shows only 676 miles, confirming a highly constrained usage profile. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the engine bay to verify the source of the oil leak flagged in May 2025, as persistent leaks on older Mercedes engines can be costly to rectify. The recurring advisories for rear tyres being worn on the edges in both 2024 and 2025 suggest a persistent alignment issue or worn suspension bushes that were not fully corrected. Given the age and low mileage, the inspector should also check for structural corrosion on the undertrays and the condition of the brakes, as these often fail when a vehicle remains stationary for extended periods.