2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC 1.8L Petrol · HV11 YOW

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLC remains roadworthy with a clean pass recorded on 18 November 2025 at 133,125 miles, though the maintenance trend shows a steady accumulation of minor steering and suspension wear rather than any resolving pattern. The most recent test flagged light oil misting on both front shock absorbers, slight free play in the steering rack inner rods, slight play in both rear anti-roll bar linkages, a greased-over corroded near-side rear brake pipe, and a deteriorated registration plate. These are advisory-level faults, but several trace back through earlier tests and indicate the car has not received proactive component renewal. Mileage has progressed at a broadly typical rate for a fifteen-year-old vehicle, rising from 113,538 miles in September 2022 to 133,125 miles by November 2025, an average of roughly 6,500 miles per year across that window. The record shows no abrupt accumulation or long dormant periods, though the 2022 to 2023 jump of 8,692 miles and the 2024 to 2025 jump of 3,264 miles confirm normal private-use cycling. The history is sparse on major failures, with only a single 6 September 2022 rejection for a non-working near-side dipped beam headlamp and a non-obligatory stop lamp, both corrected the same day. Recurring advisories demand a physical inspection before purchase. The near-side rear brake pipe has carried a corrosion note flagged with grease covering since September 2024 and again in November 2025, which suggests the previous owner masked rather than replaced the line. Steering rack inner joint play appeared in 2024 and intensified to measurable free play at the wheel by 2025, while rear anti-roll bar ball joints have shown wear on alternating sides since 2023. A buyer should personally verify the front shock absorber seals for weeping, confirm the steering rack does not exhibit clunking under load, and strip the grease from the near-side rear brake pipe to assess metal loss. The central stop lamp has failed intermittently as a non-obligatory item since 2022 and is a trivial fix, but the deteriorated plates and worn suspension bushes reflect an owner who addressed only mandatory failures, not underlying wear.