2005 Mercedes-Benz C 1.8L Petrol · CU05 ROY

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate, having passed its most recent test on 2025-09-02 at 89,008 miles with zero defects recorded. The maintenance trend appears stable, though the pattern of failing and subsequently passing within days indicates a reactive approach to upkeep. The tester flagged no defects on the passing certificate, meaning the car met the minimum standard at that exact moment, but the preceding failures on 2025-08-27 and 2025-07-09—both also showing no recorded defects—suggest the owner likely rectified faults during the test or abandoned the initial attempts to fix issues off-site. At 21 years old with 89,008 miles on the clock, the annual average sits at roughly 4,238 miles, which is exceptionally low. The recent mileage accumulation tells a starker story. Between the pass on 2024-07-23 at 86,812 miles and the failure on 2025-07-09 at 88,935 miles, the car covered just 2,123 miles over nearly a year. Following that, the odometer barely moved, ticking up only 73 miles between the July failure and the September pass. Such minimal use points to prolonged periods of standing, which introduces its own mechanical risks despite the low mileage. Because the MOT record lacks specific recurring mechanical advisories, a buyer must inspect the components most vulnerable to age and static storage rather than mileage. Check the tyre sidewalls for age-related cracking, as rubber perishes regardless of tread depth. Inspect the brake discs for surface corrosion and the calipers for binding, as a car sitting unused frequently suffers from handbrake shoes seizing and disc pitting. Examine the suspension bushes and exhaust system for perishing and rust, respectively. Fluids also demand scrutiny. A vehicle covering barely 4,000 miles annually often misses regular service intervals, leading to moisture accumulation in the oil and degraded brake fluid. Verify the service history thoroughly, as the MOT record alone suggests a pattern of last-minute rectification rather than preventative maintenance.