2005 Mercedes CLK 3.2L Petrol · DG55 YFS

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward developing component failures as the car ages. The most recent test in November 2025 at 109,355 miles identified several defects, including corroded brake pipes and binding calipers on both front axles. While the car achieved two clean passes in late 2024, the appearance of these mechanical and hydraulic issues suggests that the vehicle is now experiencing age-related degradation rather than high mileage wear. At 21 years old, the recorded 109,355 miles is notably low, averaging approximately 5,200 miles per year. The data reveals a significant gap in usage between January 2023 and February 2024, where the car covered only 360 miles in over thirteen months. This period of inactivity likely contributes to the condition of rubber-based components, such as the perished offside front inner tyre noted in 2025, and the tendency for brake calipers to seize when the vehicle sits stationary for long periods. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the braking system, as the record shows recurring corrosion on pipes across multiple corners in both 2023 and 2025. The binding of the offside front and nearside rear calipers indicates worn sliders or seized pistons. Furthermore, the suspension requires attention because the tester previously flagged worn torque arm bushes and a fractured offside front coil spring. Physical inspection should check for further structural corrosion around the brake lines and ensure that the previous grease-covered pipes have not masked deeper metal decay in the chassis.