2009 Mercedes Sprinter 2.1L Diesel · DA58 HMC

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of structural and mechanical degradation. While it passed the latest test in January 2026 at 126,375 miles, the presence of black smoke during acceleration indicates a developing fuel delivery issue or turbo inefficiency that has not been addressed. The record shows a reactive maintenance style where significant faults are only rectified after a failure, suggesting the owner addresses only the bare minimum legal requirements rather than performing proactive preventative care. At 126,375 miles over 17 years, the Sprinter has averaged approximately 7,400 miles per year, which is consistent with a light-use vehicle of this age. The data shows a steady usage pattern between January 2024 and January 2025, where the vehicle covered roughly 12,000 miles in thirteen months. However, the low mileage does not appear to have protected the vehicle from age-related wear and tear, as evidenced by the recurring failure of rubber and metal components across multiple testing intervals. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the structural integrity, specifically regarding the nearside rear suspension mounting point which was flagged for excessive corrosion in January 2025. This is a critical safety area that requires close monitoring to ensure the rust has not progressed. The braking system shows a history of neglect with corroded brake pipes, binding calipers, and imbalanced braking performance. Although these were repaired following the 2024 failure, the recurring corrosion on lines suggests a harsh environment or salt that has accelerated metal fatigue. The suspension also requires attention as the front shock absorbers have shown signs of reduced damping and shaft play across tests in 2024 and 2025. The repeated mentions of tyres worn to the legal limit or unevenly worn suggest potential alignment issues or neglected suspension bushings. Given the most recent report of black smoke, a professional diagnostic check is necessary to determine if the engine is suffering from injector wear or a restricted intake, which would represent a significant repair cost for a vehicle of this age.