2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 3.0L Diesel · CE64 YML

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 24 January 2025 at 167,298 miles, passed but flagged a worn rear brake disc and a nearside front tyre close to the legal limit, alongside a corroded rear sub-frame noted as not seriously weakened. This suggests the car is roadworthy today, but the trend is not entirely stable. The 2025 test is the first since 2024 to record any defects at all, breaking a two-year run of clean passes in 2023 and 2024. The reappearance of brake and tyre wear, combined with a new sub-frame corrosion advisory, indicates that basic consumable upkeep may have lagged in the last year. Mileage accumulation tells a clear story of intensive use. The car covered roughly 41,455 miles in the three years between February 2022 and January 2025, averaging over 13,800 miles annually. That is high for a large executive diesel or petrol saloon of this age. The 2024 test at 150,168 miles sits 17,130 miles below the 2025 figure, confirming a sharp rise in annual mileage over the last twelve months. Such sustained high mileage accelerates wear on drivetrain mounts, suspension bushes, and braking components, which aligns with the defects now appearing. The rear sub-frame corrosion advisory from January 2025 warrants close attention. While the tester judged it not seriously weakened, corrosion in this area on a Mercedes-Benz CLS of this vintage can progress quickly if left untreated, particularly given the car's high mileage and likely exposure to road salt. A buyer should physically inspect the sub-frame, rear suspension mounting points, and inner wheel arches for flaking metal or fresh rust, not just surface discolouration. Brake condition also needs a hands-on check. The January 2025 advisory for a worn, pitted, or scored rear brake disc, combined with the repeated rear brake pad wear noted in the January and January 2022 tests, points to a pattern of rear brake neglect or harder use. Inspect the rear discs for lipping, scoring, and thickness, and check the calipers for binding. The nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit in 2025, after a clean pass in 2024, suggests uneven wear rates that could indicate tracking issues or simply deferred replacements. A thorough test drive and under-body inspection are essential before purchase.