2004 Mercedes CL 5.4L Petrol · CL54 ADE

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of worsening mechanical neglect and reactive repairing. While it passed the most recent April 2026 test at 79,172 miles, this followed a failure just one day prior involving multiple critical steering and braking defects. The presence of significant play in the steering rack inner joints and track rod ends in March and April 2026 indicates that components are only being addressed when necessitated by test failures, rather than through a preventative regimen. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,600 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between the December 2024 pass at 74,566 miles and the March 2026 failure at 78,990 miles, during which the car covered over 4,000 miles. This low-frequency usage pattern often leads to the degradation of rubber components and seals, which is consistent with the reported issues of missing steering artwork gaiters and corrosion on the brake pipes. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the steering system and suspension assembly. The history shows recurring faults with track rod ends and steering rack inner joints, which require immediate attention to ensure directional stability. Furthermore, the corrosion on both the nearside and offside rear brake pipes, noted as covered in grease, suggests an attempt to mask surface rust. These pipes should be inspected for structural thinning to prevent a sudden hydraulic failure. Structural integrity is also a point of concern, as the March 2026 test identified corrosion on the chassis or structure within 30cm of a mounting. Although not yet a failure point, surface rust on an older Mercedes often correlates with deeper internal rot if left enough. The persistent oil leak noted in every test since at least 2023 indicates a long-term issue that remains unaddressed despite the replacement of other components.