2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 AMG Line 4MATIC Electric · FV71 VZF

A ball joint showing slight play on the nearside front suspension arm, flagged as an advisory at the January 2026 test, forms the single mechanical blemish in an otherwise unblemished MOT record for this 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400. The vehicle passed that examination with no other defects recorded, and the prior test in January 2025 was a clean pass with no advisories at all. With only two tests on file and one minor advisory, the roadworthiness history is brief but shows no pattern of recurring issues, no failures, and no escalating deterioration between examinations. For a relatively new vehicle of this age, the absence of any structural corrosion advisories, brake or exhaust concerns, or tyre-related entries is consistent with a car that has not yet developed the wear patterns typically seen on higher-mileage or older vehicles. The recorded mileage of 38,220 miles across roughly four years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,555 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a modern premium SUV. There are no extended gaps between tests, and the mileage progression between the two recorded examinations is consistent with steady, regular use rather than long periods of standing or unusually heavy driving. From a mechanical perspective, this kind of usage pattern tends to be favourable for an electric vehicle such as the EQC, as the battery, electric drive units, and associated thermal management systems benefit from regular operation rather than prolonged inactivity. Brake wear, suspension component fatigue, and tyre degradation are all likely to be moderate, although the front ball joint advisory indicates that some wear in the suspension is beginning to surface. For a prospective buyer, the nearside front suspension arm ball joint flagged in January 2026 is the specific area warranting close physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clunking from the front end, particularly when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, and pay attention to any vagueness, wandering, or unevenness in the steering response. A clicking or popping sound when turning the steering wheel at low speed, or a noticeable judder transmitted through the steering column, would suggest the play has progressed beyond what was noted at the MOT. It is also worth having the vehicle raised for a visual check of the lower control arms, inner and outer ball joints, and the condition of the front tyres for uneven inner-edge wear, which can accompany worn suspension joints. Beyond the advisory, the remainder of the testable mechanical items covered by the MOT, including the brakes, tyres, lighting, steering, and structure, have not produced any recorded concerns across the two tests. Given the very short MOT history available for this relatively recent vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection should focus on the areas the MOT does not cover in depth, including the high-voltage battery state of health, the operation of the electric drive system, and any diagnostic trouble codes accessible through the vehicle systems. A test drive should also confirm smooth operation of the regenerative braking, consistent pull under acceleration, and the absence of any warning messages on the instrument cluster relating to the drivetrain or battery.