2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 3.0L Diesel · KM12 XNW

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive rather than preventative repairs. The most recent test in February 2026 at 123,906 miles secured a pass despite a severely deteriorated offside front drive shaft joint CV boot and corrosion on the offside rear brake hose ferrule. While the vehicle achieved clean passes in 2024 and 2025, the emergence of these faults indicates that components are reaching the end of life. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,850 miles per year. Between January 2023 and February 2026, the car covered 27,405 miles, representing a steady usage profile. However, the MOT failure in January 2024 at 105,342 miles reveals a lapse in basic oversight, as the offside rear tyre was below the legal tread limit and a passenger door failed to operate externally. This suggests that minor consumable checks may have been neglected prior to the annual inspection. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the suspension system, given the 2023 report of corroded rear coil springs. The recent deterioration of the CV boot requires immediate attention to check for grease leakage and internal joint wear, as debris ingress leads to expensive drivetrain failure. Furthermore, the corrosion on the rear brake hose ferrule should be monitored to ensure it does not progress to a structural failure of the hydraulic line. The nearside rear door mechanism also needs verification to ensure the previous repair remains fully functional and not seized by rust.