2013 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · D6 NFW

This 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class presents an unusually clean DVSA roadworthiness record over the three years of testing available, with two straight passes bookending a minor retest event in August 2024 and an earlier failure on the eve of the 2023 test. The most recent examination on 4 August 2025 returned a pass with no advisories or defects recorded, following the identical outcome twelve months earlier on 22 August 2024 after what appears to have been a same-day advisory or rectification failure that was immediately re-presented and cleared. The earlier 2023 entry shows the same pattern, with a failure on 3 August immediately followed by a clean pass the next day. Such back-to-back test pairs typically indicate an item that was addressed and corrected between the two examinations rather than a fundamental structural or mechanical concern, and the absence of any recorded advisories across the entire history suggests no chronic wear points have yet been formally flagged by the test station. With thirteen years on the road and 138,762 miles recorded, this C-Class has averaged roughly 10,600 miles annually, which sits squarely within the expected usage band for a vehicle of its age and original market positioning. There are no extended gaps between annual tests and no obvious mileage inconsistencies, indicating consistent use rather than long periods of standing or sporadic high-mileage trips. From a mechanical standpoint, this level of annual mileage means the major consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension components will have accumulated multiple replacement cycles, while the drivetrain, turbocharging system, and underbody have experienced steady thermal and load cycling rather than the shock loading associated with very high annual mileages. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas on this chassis are the well-known Mercedes-Benz weak points that would typically begin to register on MOT records at this mileage band, even though none have yet appeared here. On the test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly indicative of worn lower control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and the front coil spring seats, all of which are common on W204 platform cars approaching this mileage. Through the steering, any vagueness, knocking on lock, or uneven tyre wear across the front pair would point towards worn tie rod ends or top mount bearings. Under braking, monitor for pedal pulsation or vibration which would suggest warped front discs, and a pulling sensation to one side that could indicate a binding caliper or uneven pad wear, particularly given that no brake-related advisories have been recorded in the recent history and components may therefore be approaching the end of their service life. It is also worth inspecting the underside for any emerging corrosion on the rear subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and the fuel and brake line routing along the chassis rails, areas where Mercedes chassis of this era are known to develop surface and structural rust. A cold-start observation should be made to check for any visible exhaust smoke or signs of turbocharger wear, and a thorough under-bonnet check should look for oil seepage from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, and the area around the OM651 or M271 engine variants depending on specification. Given the clean MOT history and consistent usage pattern, this vehicle represents a solid baseline candidate, but a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist would still be prudent to identify any wear items that are on the verge of flagging at the next test.