1990 Mercedes S-Class 3.0L Petrol · G276 KEX

The 2023‑10‑09 MOT record shows the vehicle failed, with a major leak of exhaust gases from the rear silencer, a minor leak, ineffective wiper operation, corroded rear brake pipe, and a frayed rear seat‑belt webbing; therefore the car is presently not roadworthy. The repeated appearance of exhaust and brake‑pipe corrosion since 2021, together with the wiper and seat‑belt issues, indicates a pattern of neglect rather than improvement. At 33,146 miles the car has accumulated roughly 921 miles per year since its 1990 manufacture, a rate far below the typical wear expected for a 36‑year‑old Mercedes‑Benz. Mileage rose from 30,879 miles in 2006 to 33,146 in 2023, an increase of 2,267 miles over 17 years, or about 133 miles annually, with occasional jumps such as the 866‑mile rise between 2016 and 2017, suggesting periods of idle use interspersed with limited driving. A buyer should first examine the condition of the rear and front brake pipes and hoses for signs of recent replacement or ongoing corrosion, paying particular attention to the areas flagged in the 2021 and 2023 tests where grease‑covered pipework was recorded. The rear exhaust system must be inspected for cracks, rust and the severity of the major leak, while the front windscreen wiper mechanism should be tested for proper spray and blade contact. Finally, the suspension bushes, coil springs and rear wheel bearings, which showed slight play in 2017, should be checked for wear, and the seat‑belt webbing inspected for fraying; any structural rust on the fuel or brake lines, as noted repeatedly, warrants a thorough assessment of the vehicle’s overall integrity before purchase.