2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.7L Diesel · KN09 LXB

The 2009 Mercedes A-Class passed its most recent MOT on 10 June 2026 at 95,774 miles, but the record reveals a worsening trend in corrosion and suspension wear. The June 2026 test flagged four advisories, including slight play in the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and light oil misting on both front shock absorbers. The nearside front brake pipe was also noted as corroded and covered in grease or other material. These defects suggest the vehicle is entering a phase where age-related deterioration is accelerating, despite a clean pass recorded in June 2025 at 94,136 miles with zero defects. The mileage profile is notably low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,634 miles per year. Between the June 2025 and June 2026 tests, the car covered just 1,638 miles, indicating very light recent use. The annual increments between earlier tests were similarly modest, ranging from roughly 1,800 to 1,900 miles per year between 2022 and 2024. This low-mileage pattern can mean reduced consumable wear, but it also raises the possibility of prolonged standing periods, which accelerates brake pipe corrosion and suspension seal degradation, both of which are now appearing in the record. The recurring theme across multiple MOT entries is brake pipe corrosion. In May 2023 at 90,444 miles, all three front and rear brake pipes were flagged as corroded and contaminated with grease or other material. By June 2022 at 88,556 miles, the central front brake pipe had already drawn the same advisory. The fact that corrosion advisories have persisted and shifted location across the braking system over four consecutive years suggests the pipes have not been replaced and remain vulnerable. A buyer should have the entire brake line system inspected for structural integrity, particularly where rubber flexi-hards meet rigid metal sections. Beyond the braking system, the suspension components warrant close physical inspection. The June 2026 advisory for ball joint play and twin shock absorber oil misting points to deteriorating front-end components that may require replacement in the near term. The tyre condition advisories noted in June 2024 at 92,237 miles, covering both offside front and nearside rear tyres, indicate previous neglect of rubber condition. A hands-on inspection should verify the condition of all suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers, along with a thorough check of the underside for corrosion affecting structural mounting points.