2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK 1.8L Petrol · HF04 ABU

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive repairs rather than proactive preventative care. While the most recent test in February 2025 at 142,110 miles was a pass, it followed a significant failure just thirty days prior. The transition from a failure to a pass indicates that the owner addressed critical electrical and braking defects, but the persistence of structural corrosion and wear-related advisories suggests the vehicle is entering a phase of increasing degradation. At 142,110 miles over 22 years, the Mercedes CLK has followed a consistent usage pattern of approximately 6,500 miles per year, which is typical for a luxury coupe of this age. The data shows steady progression, with roughly 5,000 miles covered between January 2023 and January 2024, and another 5,000 miles covered by February 2025. However, the relatively low annual mileage has not shielded the vehicle from the age-related deterioration of rubber components and metalwork as evidenced in the test results. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the structural integrity regarding the rear sub-frame and suspension mounting points. Corrosion has been flagged consistently since 2023, 2024, and 2025, and while testers have described it as not seriously weakened, the presence of rust in these prescribed areas is a long-term risk. The history also shows recurring issues with anti-roll bar ball joints and track rod ends, indicating that the front suspension geometry is prone to wear and should be checked for excessive play or alignment-related vibrations. The braking system and electrical components require specific scrutiny. The January 2025 failure highlighted a binding offside rear service brake and a previous failure in 2024 noted a malfunctioning handbrake release. Additionally, the inoperative engine management light reported in early 2025 is a major concern that suggests potential electronic faults were being ignored or masked. Given that the front tyres were noted as worn near the legal limit in the latest test, the buyer should also verify the current condition of all four tyres to ensure immediate replacement is not required.