2008 Mercedes-Benz E 3.0L Diesel · EX08 HSA

A pattern of corrosion-related advisories on the rear suspension and brake lines has defined the recent MOT history of this 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and although each annual test has been passed, the same items have been flagged repeatedly across multiple years. The November 2025 test was passed with advisories for corroded near-side and off-side rear lower suspension arms alongside corroded rear brake pipes, both of which had already been highlighted in 2022. A dangerous failure was recorded on 21 November 2022 for an exposed ply on the near-side front inner tyre, together with advisories for worn front inner tyres, front lower suspension arm inner bush wear, and the same rear brake pipe and disc issues. Other tests have added advisories for front upper ball joint play, front lower arm torque strut bush wear, slight front wheel bearing play, and worn or pitted brake discs at both axles, while a minor windscreen damage item was recorded in 2024. The cumulative picture across seven recorded tests from 2019 to 2025 is one of a vehicle that remains legally roadworthy on test but carries a chronic list of advisories concentrated on the braking and rear suspension systems. With recorded mileage of 104,944 miles over an 18-year life, the vehicle averages roughly 5,830 miles per year, which is low for its class and age and suggests either extended periods of light use or intermittent lay-ups rather than steady daily driving. The MOT sequence is fairly regular from 2019 onwards, with annual tests in late autumn except for the May 2019 entry, and no obvious multi-year gaps that would indicate long-term off-road storage. Low annual mileage of itself does not guarantee component longevity on a Mercedes of this era, because brake discs, suspension bushes, flexible brake hoses, and rubber body mounts can deteriorate through age and corrosion even when the odometer advances slowly, and the recurring advisories for corroded brake pipes and pitted discs support that point. The vehicle should therefore be regarded as age‑stressed mechanically, with wear patterns influenced as much by time and environmental conditions as by distance covered. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the rear underbody and the front and rear braking systems. The rear brake pipes have been recorded as corroded on more than one occasion, so a careful visual and tactile examination underneath is warranted, paying particular attention to surface rust, flaking, and any evidence of previous repair sections or underseal masking corrosion along the pipe runs and unions. The rear brake discs have been flagged as pitted or scored across several tests, which on a Mercedes of this age is a known wear pattern; on a test drive, listen for any brake squeal, feel for judder through the pedal under firm stops, and check for any pulling to one side. The rear lower suspension arms have been recorded as corroded but not seriously weakened, so examine the arm bodies, mounting bushes, and ball joints for any cracking, elongation of bush apertures, or movement beyond what the previous advisories described. Suspension refinement and steering response deserve close attention on the road. With advisories on the front upper arm ball joint, the front lower arm inner bush, the front lower arm torque strut bush, and slight play in both front wheel bearings, the front end should be exercised over uneven surfaces, speed humps, and through tight corners to detect any clonks, rattles, or wandering. Particular symptoms to listen for are a dull knock from the front over bumps consistent with worn arm bushes or ball joints, a vague or wandering front end suggesting bearing wear, and any rear suspension noise that could indicate the progression of the corrosion already noted on the rear arms. The tyres should be inspected for uneven inner-edge wear, given the previous advisories for inner-tyre wear and the exposed-ply dangerous defect, and the windscreen checked for the extent of the damage recorded in 2024. Overall, the test record shows a car that continues to meet the minimum standard while carrying a consistent list of advisories, and a pre-purchase inspection focused on the rear brake lines, both axles of the braking system, and the front and rear suspension components would be prudent.