2003 Mercedes CLK 5.0L Petrol · KM03 LCL

The vehicle maintains a roadworthy status, though the maintenance trend shows a gradual progression of suspension and braking component wear. The most recent test in November 2022 at 125,388 miles passed with advisories for light oil misting on both rear shock absorbers. This follows a failure in October 2021 due to a structural tyre failure and an excessively worn offside front suspension ball joint. While the car currently meets minimum obligations, the recurring issues with shock absorbers suggest the dampers are reaching their functional limit. At 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 125,388 miles represents a low annual average of approximately 5,452 miles. The data shows a significant drop in usage frequency between November 2020 and November 2022, where the vehicle covered only 7,998 miles over two years. This low mileage pattern often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components rather than mechanical wear, which is consistent with the reports of deteriorated brake hoses and anti-roll bar bushes throughout the history. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension geometry and braking system. The record highlights a history of corrosion on the brake pipes, specifically near the fuel tank and rear axle, which requires a close look for structural thinning or heavy scale buildup on the metal lines. The persistent misting of the front shocks in 2021 and subsequent rear shocks in 2022 indicates that full shock replacement is imminent. Given the previous failures of anti-roll bar pins and ball joints, the tester should specifically check for play in the bushings to ensure the low-mileage usage has not caused dry rot or perished rubber.