2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class 1.6L Petrol · C24 YAT

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening condition regarding steering and suspension components. In the most recent test in September 2025 at 61,839 miles, the tester identified significant issues including the steering rack inner joints and play in the offside front track rod end. This represents a progression from the September 2023 failure, where the track rod end only suffered from a damaged dust cover. While the car passed its test, the transition from a perished boot to actual mechanical play indicates accelerating wear in the steering assemblies. The mileage profile is notably low for a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,417 miles per year. There is a clear gap between the September 2022 test at 49,951 miles and the 2023 test at 57,371 miles, suggesting the vehicle was driven for short distances. This low usage often correlates with age-related rubber degradation rather than mechanical strain, as evidenced by the 2025 advisories regarding cracking and perishing on nearside front and rear tyres despite the low overall mileage. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension and steering geometry. The recurring faults with the track rod end and the newly flagged rack inner joints suggest the steering system requires immediate professional attention to ensure precision and prevent uneven tyre wear. The history also shows thin brake pads flagged in 2023 and 2024, indicating that the owner only addresses consumables when they approach the failure threshold. Given the perishing tyres noted in 2025, the age of all rubber components should be checked for sidewall cracking, regardless of the remaining tread depth.