2007 Mercedes E 5.5L Petrol · GP07 FDX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening condition regarding the braking system. While it passed its latest test in November 2025 at 118,594 miles, the tester identified corrosion on both nearside and offside rear brake pipes obscured by grease. This follows a significant failure in November 2024 where the car was rejected for a leaking offside front brake hose connection and widespread corrosion across all brake pipes. The presence of grease on corroded pipes suggests previous attempts to mask surface rust rather than rectify the underlying material degradation. The mileage pattern is consistent with a nineteen-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,200 miles per year. Between November 2022 at 97,421 miles and the 2025 test at 118,594 miles, the car covered roughly 21 thousand miles, indicating regular but light use. The short interval between the November 2024 failure and the subsequent pass shows only 18 miles of travel, confirming that the critical faults, including the stripped front auxiliary belt and hydraulic leak, were addressed immediately to return the car to test. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the entire chassis and braking lines. Because the tester noted an inability to see behind trims in 2024, there is a risk of hidden structural corrosion or advanced rust that remains undetected. Focus should be placed on the condition of the rubber brake hoses and the integrity of the metal pipes where they meet joints. Given the age of the vehicle and the recent history of hydraulic failure, the suspension bushings and mounting points should be checked for signs of perished rubber or cracking that the MOT record does not fully capture.