2008 Mercedes SL 3.5L Petrol · DS 7332

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows signs of recent degradation following a period of stability. While the July 2025 test at 107,878 miles resulted in a pass, the tester flagged several issues regarding tyre condition and suspension components. The report noted cracking or perishing on the offside front and both rear tyres, alongside a nail in the nearside rear tyre. The nearside front shock absorber also exhibited noise, suggesting potential wear in the damping unit. This indicates a shift from the clean records seen in previous years toward a pattern of neglected consumable maintenance. The mileage history reflects a low-use profile for an 18-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 6,000 miles per year. The data shows a steady progression from 98,639 miles in February 2022 to 107,878 miles in July 2025. This low annual mileage can often lead to the rubber degradation seen in the most recent MOT, as tyres can perish from age and lack of movement even if tread remains sufficient. The gap between the January 2024 failure and the July 2025 pass shows that the vehicle is being maintained enough to pass, but the emergence of tyre perishing suggests it may have sat stationary for extended periods. A prospective buyer should focus on the suspension and braking systems during a physical inspection. The January 2024 failure highlighted significant issues with the parking brake efficiency and inoperative nearside parking brake, which required rectification to pass. The record also flagged worn or pitted front brake discs and play in the offside front wheel bearing. Because the January 2024 test also identified split dust covers on both nearside and offside front lower suspension arm ball joints, a thorough check of the steering and suspension geometry is necessary to ensure these components were properly replaced rather than merely inspected. The recurring mention of front brake disc condition and the recent noise from the nearside front shock absorber warrants close attention. While the 2023 and 2022 tests were clean, the recent trend of tyre perishing and suspension noise suggests that the vehicle's age-related rubber components are reaching the end of their service life. Checking the integrity of all bushings, ball joints, and the condition of the shock absorbers will be essential to confirm the vehicle is not approaching a period of significant maintenance expenditure.