2021 Mercedes-Benz V 1.9L Diesel · HX71 TXC

The vehicle's current roadworthiness status is passing, but the maintenance trend shows signs of worsening mechanical attention. The most recent MOT on 20 August 2025 at 49,351 miles passed only after a failure the previous day. This failure highlighted several issues including a defective offside windscreen wiper, a worn offside rear tyre, thinning offside rear outer brake pads, and play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. While the vehicle is currently legal, the presence of multiple advisories regarding suspension and braking components suggests that wear is beginning to accumulate across several systems simultaneously. The mileage pattern appears consistent with a typical five-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,870 miles per year. The record shows 36,283 miles in September 2024 and 49,351 miles in August 2025, representing an accumulation of roughly 13,000 miles over the preceding eleven months. This steady usage rate explains the gradual wear on consumables like tyres and brake pads. The data provides a clear window into the vehicle's recent history, showing that while the 2024 test was clean, the 2025 testing cycle required immediate intervention to address multiple defects. A prospective buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems. The tester specifically flagged play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and thinning rear brake pads during the August 2025 test. These issues, combined with the light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorbers noted in the September 2024 failure, indicate that the suspension components are nearing the end of their service life. I recommend checking all suspension bushes, ball joints, and shock absorbers for leaks or excessive movement. The history of tyre defects also warrants attention. The vehicle failed in August 2025 due to a tyre with tread below 1.6mm and had previously failed in September 2024 due to tyre damage and perishing. This pattern suggests that tyre maintenance may be reactive rather than proactive. Before purchase, verify the remaining tread depth and condition of all four tyres and ensure the brake discs show no signs of excessive scoring or uneven wear resulting from the thin pads identified in the latest report.