2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK 3.0L Diesel · HV09 OSL

A pattern of deteriorating front-end components and fluid leaks defines the recent history of this vehicle, shifting from a clean record between 2022 and 2024 to multiple failures and advisories in 2025 and 2026. While the vehicle passed its last inspection on 12 May 2026, this followed a failure just six days prior involving dangerous brake pad wear and a worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. The progression from advisories regarding suspension bushes and thin brake pads in March 2025 to a dangerous failure in May 2026 indicates a trend of deferred maintenance on critical wear items. The recorded mileage of 72,768 miles is low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,280 miles per year. Such a low annual accumulation suggests the car has spent significant periods stationary or has been used for very short journeys. Mechanically, this usage profile often contributes to the premature degradation of rubber components, such as suspension bushes and shock absorber seals, through perishing rather than frictional wear, which aligns with the recorded failures of the nearside front shock absorber and various lower suspension arm components. Attention must be paid to the front suspension and braking system during a physical inspection. Given the history of worn lower suspension arm ball joints and bushes on both the nearside and offside, a test drive should focus on listening for knocks or clunks when traversing uneven surfaces or during low-speed steering manoeuvres. The recent dangerous failure regarding brake pad thickness and previous advisories for worn discs necessitate a check for any pedal judder or uneven braking force, ensuring the replacements installed in May 2026 were fitted to the correct specification. The presence of a recorded front oil leak in March 2025 requires verification to ensure it has been remediated. During the inspection, check the underside of the engine bay for fresh oil misting or residue, and monitor for any burning oil smells after a test drive. Additionally, while the nearside front shock absorber leak from 2022 was addressed to achieve a pass, the overall stability of the front end should be assessed for any excessive bouncing or instability, which would indicate further degradation of the damping system.