2013 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · KM13 HWO

A history of immediate test failures bookended by clean annual passes characterises the roadworthiness record of this 2013 Mercedes-Benz C, which successfully navigated a retest to secure a pass on 14 March 2026. While several historical annual checks concluded without a single recorded defect, the test trajectory reveals intermittent severe non-compliance. Most notably, the initial 2026 inspection resulted in a dangerous classification due to multiple missing wheel fixings on both the offside front and offside rear wheels, alongside a major failure for an excessively fluctuating offside front service brake. A previous dangerous refusal in October 2024 stemmed from a nearside rear tyre falling below the legal tread depth requirement, demonstrating that critical safety oversights have occurred despite periods of trouble-free testing. Accumulating 85,783 miles over its thirteen-year lifespan results in an average annual mileage of approximately 6,599 miles, placing the vehicle well within typical usage expectations for its age category. This consistent progression of mileage suggests a steady operational life rather than periods of prolonged inactivity or intensive commercial deployment. Mechanically, an average annual distance means that major drivetrain assemblies, electrical accessories, and structural chassis components have experienced normal wear accrual, though standard service-item fatigue remains entirely plausible given the age of the vehicle. Prospective buyers must prioritise a rigorous physical inspection of the suspension and braking architecture, specifically addressing the historic 2022 advisories noting slight play in the lower rear nearside front suspension arm ball joints. During a static and dynamic evaluation, listen carefully for knocking or clunking noises when negotiating potholes or speed bumps, and check for any wandering or unresponsiveness in the steering that would indicate advanced wear in those ball joints or associated control arms. Furthermore, inspect the wheel hubs and studs given the recent dangerous defect concerning missing fixings, ensuring that the threads on both the hubs and bolts are undamaged and correctly torqued. On the road test, pay close attention to the braking system to ensure the offside front service brake fluctuation recorded during the recent test failure has been fully rectified. Apply the footbrake firmly at various speeds to check for pedal pulsation, side-to-side pulling, or any binding that could point to warped brake discs or sticking calipers. Finally, verify the condition and tread depth across all four tyres to ensure compliance, keeping a close eye out for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear that would betray neglected wheel alignment or failing suspension geometry.