2012 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · E27 SHR

The most recent MOT test on 15 July 2026 resulted in a Pass, although it was issued only two days after a previous Fail on 13 July 2026, suggesting a same-week repair scenario where the engine management MIL fault was rectified in order to secure the pass. Despite the pass, three items were logged: advisories for slight play on both front wheel bearings, and a minor for severely deteriorated anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers on both sides. Looking at the broader picture, the vehicle has produced two fails and two passes in the last three test cycles, with the previous year showing a fail on a dangerous nearside front tyre bulge before passing on the same attempt. This is not a pattern of outright neglect, but it does indicate that defects are being addressed reactively rather than preventatively, and the recurrence of advisories relating to front suspension and steering components warrants careful scrutiny from any prospective buyer. The recorded mileage of 147,209 miles on a 14-year-old vehicle equates to an annual average of approximately 10,500 miles, which sits squarely within the typical usage bracket for a car of this age and class. There are no large mileage gaps in the recorded history that would suggest long periods of standing, which is generally positive as it reduces the likelihood of seized calipers, perished rubber, or battery degradation from inactivity. However, the cumulative distance is firmly in high-mileage territory, meaning that wear-related components such as suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, drivetrain mounts, and the dual-mass flywheel (if applicable to the transmission variant) should be assumed to have received significant use. Routine servicing history should be verified through service book stamps and accompanying invoices to confirm that intervals appropriate to this mileage have been observed. Turning to the specific defect history, the recent advisories for slight play on both front wheel bearings indicate the early stages of bearing wear; on a test drive, listen for a low-frequency humming or droning that changes with cornering, and rock the front wheels with the car jacked to detect any notchiness or lateral movement. The deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage dust covers will allow moisture and debris ingress into the ball joints, accelerating wear, so listen for clonks or rattles over speed humps and during directional changes, and visually inspect the linkages for splits in the boots and any play at the joint. The July 2025 dangerous tyre failure, where the nearside front tyre exhibited structural separation, is a known failure mode on older tyres regardless of tread depth, and reinforces the need for a thorough tyre inspection focusing on sidewall bulges, cracking, and manufacturing date codes; tyres older than five years should be replaced regardless of remaining tread. The previous fail relating to an inoperative engine MIL light points to either a resolved emissions or sensor fault, but given the age and mileage, it is prudent to verify that any diagnostic trouble codes have been properly cleared and that the vehicle runs cleanly without hesitation, misfires, or excessive smoke from cold start. Beyond the recorded items, a vehicle of this age and mileage requires a comprehensive physical inspection irrespective of MOT status. Brake components should be examined for disc lipping, pad wear, and any binding calipers, particularly given the earlier advisory on rear brake disc wear. The 2024 advisory noting a corroded nearside front-to-rear brake pipe covered in grease warrants particular attention, as concealed corrosion on underbody brake lines can progress to perforation and should be inspected on a ramp for any rust scale, pitting, or weeping at joints. All underbody and structural areas should be checked for corrosion, paying close attention to wheel arches, sills, subframe mounting points, and suspension turrets, as Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles of this era can be susceptible to rust in these zones. Time-based items must also be considered: the 12V battery should be load-tested as batteries beyond five years are prone to failure, all fluids including brake fluid (which degrades hygroscopically and should be renewed every two years), coolant, and transmission fluid should be confirmed as recently serviced, and the air conditioning compressor and drive belts inspected for leaks and cracking. A pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist or independent garage is strongly advised given the combination of high mileage, recent suspension advisories, and the vehicle's premium component costs.