2012 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · FH12 GVV

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C presents as roadworthy following its most recent pass on 31 March 2026 at 143,088 miles, with the maintenance trend appearing stable and free of recorded defects across the last three annual cycles. The vehicle cleared the test cleanly after a failed attempt on 23 March 2026 at 143,086 miles where the DVLA record shows no defects logged, a pattern repeated in March 2025 when it failed on 31 March at 129,852 miles before passing on 2 April at 129,854 miles with no faults cited. These back-to-back fail-and-pass pairs within days suggest administrative or presentation issues at the testing station rather than developing mechanical faults. Mileage has accumulated at a typical rate for a fourteen-year-old car, averaging roughly 10,200 miles per year against the 143,088 miles recorded. The gap between the March 2024 pass at 114,295 miles and the March 2025 fail at 129,852 miles shows about 15,500 miles covered in twelve months, a slight uplift on the annual average but not abnormal. The two-mile delta between the March 2026 fail and pass confirms the car was barely driven in the intervening eight days, indicating the owner addressed whatever halted the first test promptly. A buyer should still commission an independent inspection of suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake discs given the age and mileage, as the MOT record logs no advisories but does not confirm component condition beyond the test threshold. The repeated no-defect failures without stated reasons warrant scrutiny of the test centre paperwork and any associated rectification invoices. Structural integrity and exhaust emissions cannot be assumed sound solely from a clean pass sheet on a high-mileage executive saloon. Given the sparse history with three passes and two unexplained fails in twelve months, previous ownership appears to have kept the car legally tested but left no documentary trail of consumable replacement. Verify service history in person before purchase, focusing on drivetrain wear and corrosion around sills and subframes.