2005 Mercedes ML 2.7L Diesel · BD05 UPO

The vehicle presents a questionable state of roadworthiness with a trend of reactive maintenance rather than preventative care. While the car passed its most recent test in September 2025 at 182,195 miles, this followed a significant failure just three days prior. The failure record revealed multiple critical safety issues including steering linkage, suspension ball joints, and braking components. The current status suggests that the owner only addresses faults when strictly necessary to pass an MOT, leaving various mechanical components to deteriorate to the point of failure between tests. The recorded mileage of 182,195 miles over 21 years represents an average of approximately 8,676 miles per year, which is consistent with a luxury SUV of this age. However, the data shows a period of extreme inactivity between June 2023 and September 2024, where the vehicle covered only 10 miles in 15 months. Following this gap, the car accumulated 22,480 miles in a single year. This pattern of long standing followed by heavy use often correlates with the accelerated degradation of rubber components and suspension systems seen in the inspection results. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity and chassis, as the record consistently flags corrosion within 30cm of mounting points since 2024. The suspension system shows a recurring history of wear, specifically regarding ball joints, track rod ends, and shock absorber bushes, which have failed across multiple tests. Particular attention is required for the braking system; the tester has noted corroded rear brake pipes, pitted front discs, and weakened rear discs in recent years. The persistent oil leak noted since 2023 also requires professional verification to ensure it has not worsened into a significant leak.