2018 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · BW67 NVM

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C currently holds a clean roadworthiness status following its most recent MOT on 2026-03-04, which confirmed no defects were present at the time of testing. This recent pass follows a mixed history of the vehicle's motoring life, beginning with a dangerous failure in January 2021 where the offside rear tyre was found to have tread depth below the mandatory 1.6mm requirement, followed by an advisory note in March 2022 regarding light oil misting from the rear shock absorbers. While the intervening tests from 2023 through 2026 have all returned as passed with no recorded defects, the presence of both a serious tyre safety issue and a lubrication anomaly decades ago provides a baseline of intermittent problems that buyers should consider when evaluating this car's long-term reliability. Regarding the recorded mileage of 59,400 miles on an eight-year-old vehicle, the average annual accumulation of approximately 7,425 miles falls within the expected range for its age and usage period, suggesting moderate wear across the powertrain and suspension systems. The testing timeline reveals a notable gap between the failed test on 2026-03-03 and the subsequent passing test on 2026-03-04, occurring only twenty-four hours apart, which indicates that the adverse event was likely transient or related to temporary conditions rather than progressive degradation. The broader pattern shows three full-year intervals of successful MOTs from 2023 onward, with the only non-passing results being the single dangerous failure in early 2021 and the advisory in mid-2022, meaning the vehicle has demonstrated stability in its later years despite past incidents. The nearside front tyre that suffered a significant cut on 2026-03-03 represents the primary mechanical concern requiring close attention during a test drive, as this defect extended deep enough to approach the ply or cords of the tyre construction under specification 225/40/19. Listen for any vibration or pulsing when traversing bumps, particularly on the outer edge of the affected wheel, as this area may still exhibit residual stress or misalignment from the original incident. Additionally, the rear shock absorbers showed oil misting in February 2022, a symptom that while resolved at the time of the 2026-03-04 test, indicates the rear suspension linkage experienced internal lubrication loss at some point; inspect the rear shock mounts for any visible oil residue, wet spots on the subframe, or abnormal play in the suspension travel. Finally, verify that the previously problematic rear tyres have been properly re-treaded and inspected, as the 2021 dangerous failure suggests the original condition required intervention, and ensuring the current tyres meet legal minimum tread depths remains essential for safe operation.