2009 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · EM05 ROW

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive rather than proactive care. While the most recent test in March 2026 at 87,043 miles passed with only an advisory for worn front brake discs, the history reveals a period of instability. The 2025 failure highlighted a critical safety-related issue with a fractured nearside front coil spring, indicating that the owner only addresses mechanical faults once they fail an official inspection rather than performing scheduled preventative maintenance. At 87,043 miles, this 17-year-old Mercedes has significantly low mileage, averaging approximately 5,120 miles per year. This low usage explains the aged state of certain components but also points to potential age-related degradation. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the vehicle covered roughly 3,400 miles. The tester noted tyre perishing and cracking, which is common in low-mileage vehicles that sit stationary for long periods, allowing the rubber to degrade despite having tread depth. A buyer must personally inspect the front suspension assembly closely, as the record shows previously worn lower arm bushes in 2024 and a broken coil spring in 2025. These recurring issues suggest the rubber components and metal springs are reaching their fatigue limit. The front brake discs have been flagged as pitted and scored across both 2025 and 2026, indicating they are nearing the end of their effective life. Given the noted history of tyre perishing, check for sidewall cracking on all four tyres to ensure they are not structurally brittle due to age.