2004 Mercedes E 2.7L Diesel · BB52 CLB

The vehicle presents a currently roadworthy but structurally ageing condition. The May 2026 test at 203,098 miles passed with only minor corrosion advisories on both rear suspension arms, showing the maintenance trend has stabilised after a poor late-2023 period. The owner resolved the serious November 2023 failures and cleared all defects by the December 2023 retest, with the April 2025 pass at 197,580 miles recording no faults at all. The 203,098 miles recorded against a 2004 build equates to roughly 9,200 miles per year, a typical usage rate that suggests steady rather than abusive mileage. Records show a gap between the December 2022 test at 185,017 miles and the November 2023 failure at 191,473 miles, only 6,456 miles in eleven months, then a jump to 197,580 by April 2025. The sparse early history means we cannot assess pre-2022 care, but the clean 2025 result implies consistent upkeep in the recent interval. A buyer should physically inspect the rear suspension arms and coil springs, as corrosion on these components appeared in 2023 and persists as advisories in 2026. The November 2023 test flagged excessive oil leakage from the engine and a worn near-side front suspension ball joint, both since repaired but worth verifying for recurrence given the 22-year-old drivetrain. The SRS warning lamp fault and insecure rear exhaust from that failure were cleared, yet the rear boxes showed minor gas leaks as far back as December 2022, so examine the exhaust mounts and underbody for ongoing rot. Factory underguards limited inspection at every test from 2022 onward. The tester could not fully view chassis legs and floor sections. A ramp inspection beneath those guards is essential before purchase to confirm no hidden structural corrosion exists behind the prescribed-area rust already noted on the front suspension mountings.