2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2.1L Diesel · FE17 HBZ

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class holds a current MOT certificate dated 2 October 2025 at 106,335 miles, but the maintenance trend is not reassuring. That most recent test followed a same-day initial failure flagged by the tester for an engine MIL inoperative and insufficient washer fluid, alongside a deteriorated nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint gaiter and a perished nearside rear tyre. Passing on the re-test indicates these items were addressed, yet the pattern across the record is uneven. A buyer cannot treat the current certificate as evidence of consistent preventative upkeep. The mileage progression is broadly typical for a nine-year-old vehicle, rising from 96,927 miles in August 2023 to 100,826 miles in August 2024 and then to 106,335 miles by October 2025, averaging roughly 11,800 miles per year. The gap between the August 2024 and October 2025 tests is notably longer than twelve months at about fourteen months, which may suggest a period of reduced use or a delayed annual test. No mileage anomalies or obvious gaps appear in the record itself, but the service history between these snapshots is not visible here. The 2024 failure is the most technically significant entry. The tester flagged contaminated inner front brake pads and both rear brake discs described as seriously weakened, alongside a missing rear registration plate lamp. Contaminated pads point to a past lubrication or seal issue rather than simple wear, and seriously weakened rear discs suggest sustained overheating or corrosion rather than normal use. A prospective buyer should have a technician inspect the rear braking system thoroughly, checking disc thickness, pad condition, and caliper operation, and should verify the integrity of the front brake seals and suspension components. The repeated anti-roll bar gaiter defect in 2025 reinforces the need to examine all suspension bushes, ball joints, and steering rack boots for perishing or split covers that can accelerate wear. The perished nearside rear tyre flagged in 2025 should prompt a close inspection of all four tyres for age-related cracking, uneven wear, and correct pressures, particularly if the car has stood for long periods.