2004 Mercedes-Benz E 3.2L Petrol · CU53 BYJ

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT, but the maintenance history reveals a reactive rather than proactive ownership pattern. While it passed its latest test in September 2024 at 115,239 miles, this followed a comprehensive failure just two weeks prior. The trend indicates that mechanical and safety-related components are only addressed once they reach the point of failure. The most recent pass noted minor perishing on the rear tyres, suggesting that while the major mechanical faults were rectified, the vehicle remains susceptible to age-related degradation. At 22 years old, the recorded 115,239 miles represent a low annual usage rate of approximately 5,200 miles. However, the mileage deata shows significant gaps in activity, such as the 2,500 miles driven between August 2022 and the 2,400 miles covered in August 2023. This low-mile profile often leads to the hardening of rubber components and seals due to age rather than wear, which is consistent with the recurring issues with suspension bushes and perished tyres found in the test history. A buyer must scrutinise the front suspension assembly, as the September 2024 failure flagged multiple ball joints and bushes on the lower front suspension arms. These components were previously noted as worn in 2023, indicating a long-term degradation of the front steering geometry. The ABS system also requires close attention, as a fault lamp was recorded in 2024 and has not been explicitly confirmed as cleared in the subsequent pass. The recurring history of thin brake pads and poor parking brake efficiency suggests that the braking system is neglected until critical, necessitating a thorough inspection of the calipers and handbrake mechanism.