2008 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.5L Petrol · AX04 ACE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive care. While it passed its most recent test in August 2025 at 62,662 miles, this followed a failure just six miles prior for a fractured offside rear coil spring, a faulty horn, and corroded nearside front brake pipe. The recurring brake pipe corrosion across multiple years suggests that fluid-carrying components are only being addressed once they reach a point of failure rather than being replaced during service intervals. At 62,662 miles, this eighteen-year-old Mercedes shows exceptionally low mileage, averaging approximately 3,500 miles per year. This low usage pattern is evident in the clean records between 2019 and 2023, where the vehicle accrued no defects. However, the low mileage often correlates with age-related degradation of rubber and metal components, evidenced by the 2024 failure for perished tyres and ineffective windscreen wipers. The vehicle appears to sit for long periods, which contributes to the observed corrosion on the brake lines despite the low distance driven. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the braking system and underbody. The record consistently flags excessive corrosion on front and rear brake pipes, indicating that structural rust may be progressing in the chassis areas. The 2025 failure for a broken coil spring highlights the need to check all suspension components for stress cracks or fatigue caused by age and inactivity. Given the history of binding brakes and low brake efficiency noted in previous tests, the state of the calipers, discs, and pads should be verified to ensure they are not seized or excessively worn from lack of use.