2002 Mercedes C 1.8L Petrol · HS02 TZT

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive mechanical repairs and developing structural degradation. While the most recent test in August 2025 at 95,787 miles passed, it noted worn offside front suspension arm bushes and persistent corrosion on the offside rear integral structure. The history indicates a significant failure in July 2024 due to a fractured coil spring and a major exhaust leak, suggesting that components are only addressed once they reach point of failure rather than through proactive preventative maintenance. The mileage profile is notably low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,000 miles per year. There was a gap of nearly 5,000 miles between August 2023 and July 2024, followed by roughly 8,800 miles between the July 2024 and August 2025 tests. This low usage often leads to accelerated degradation of rubber components and seals due to age, which is consistent with the recurring issues with steering rack joints and wheel bearings noted in the records. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the offside rear integral body structure, as corrosion has been flagged consistently since at least 2023. Although structural rigidity is not currently compromised, the presence of rust on a structural member suggests future vulnerability. The buyer should also verify the steering rack inner joints and nearside front wheel bearing, as these were flagged as having play in 2024 and not explicitly cleared as repaired in subsequent tests. The central rear oil leak and front oil leaks also persist across multiple years, indicating aging seals that require monitoring for increasing severity.