2016 Mercedes-Benz E 1.9L Diesel · K247 AAA

A recurring advisory pattern sits at the centre of this E-Class's MOT record, particularly around the braking system and underbody inspection, suggesting the mechanical story is one of steady consumable wear rather than any structural concern. Across the four recorded tests spanning 2022 to 2025, the vehicle has passed every examination without a single failure, which provides a baseline of roadworthiness, yet the advisory history is not entirely clean. The most recent test on 28 September 2025 recorded an advisory for the nearside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, a notable point given the proximity to failure on a component directly responsible for grip and braking performance. Both the 2025 and 2024 tests also carried advisories for factory-fitted under-trays and engine covers obscuring components from view, which is a common Mercedes-Benz configuration but does mean that certain underbody items cannot be fully inspected during the MOT procedure. The 2022 test flagged wear on all four brake discs and thin brake pads front and rear, indicating the braking system was showing age-related wear at that point and would warrant verification of its current state. With 115,835 miles recorded on a 2016 vehicle, this E-Class has covered roughly 11,584 miles per year over its ten-year life, which sits broadly in line with average UK mileage expectations for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, no obvious periods off the road, and no sudden jumps in mileage between tests, all of which suggests consistent usage rather than sporadic or neglectful patterns. That said, a decade of service and this level of mileage will have placed meaningful demand on suspension components, bushes, engine and gearbox mounts, drivetrain bearings, and the air-conditioning compressor, all of which are wear items that do not always surface in an MOT test. The annual mileage trajectory indicates the vehicle has been in regular service, which is generally positive for components such as the 12V battery and oil seals that suffer from prolonged standing, but it also means that high-cycle wear items like coil springs and anti-roll bar linkages should be assumed to be approaching or past their service life. For a prospective buyer, the priority checks should focus on the braking system given the 2022 advisory for worn and pitted discs across all four corners, with thin pads reported at the same time. A test drive should include firm pedal application from speed to check for any vibration, pulsation, or judder through the steering wheel, as pitted discs typically produce a noticeable pulsing sensation when the brakes are hot, and any grinding or squealing under light braking would suggest the pads have not been replaced since that advisory. Inspect the discs visually through the wheels for a pronounced lip on the outer edge, which indicates wear beyond safe service limits, and check that the vehicle pulls evenly to a halt rather than drifting to one side, which would point to a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. Given the front tyre advisory, examine both front tyres for inner-edge wear in particular, as this often points to worn suspension components such as control arm bushes, top mounts, or worn track rod ends rather than simple alignment drift. On the suspension side, although no advisories have been recorded in this area, the mileage warrants a careful physical check rather than reliance on the MOT record alone. With the engine under-trays fitted, the tester cannot fully inspect the subframe mounting points, steering rack gaiters, or lower control arm bushes, so these should be examined on a ramp or with the under-trays removed during a pre-purchase inspection. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, particularly over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, bottom arms, or top mount bearings. The steering should feel precise with no vagueness around the straight-ahead position, and there should be no knocking or rattling from the rear axle area over undulating roads, which can indicate worn rear subframe bushes. Finally, confirm that the advisories from 2022 have actually been addressed by checking the pad and disc condition directly, as the MOT record does not confirm rectification but only the state observed at the time of test.