2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L Diesel · KP68 FNS

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend regarding suspension and steering components. While the most recent test on 15 May 2025 at 121,521 miles passed, it followed a significant failure just six days prior. That failure highlighted multiple critical issues including lighting failures, a missing fuel cap, and play in both steering rack inner joints. The fact that the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint was flagged across multiple consecutive tests suggests a recurring wear issue that has not been proactively addressed. The mileage pattern indicates high usage for an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 15,000 miles per annum. There is a particularly sharp increase in usage between March 2024 (87,279 miles) and May 2025 (121,521 miles), where the vehicle covered over 34,000 miles in just fourteen months. This rapid accumulation suggests heavy commercial or long-distance use which accelerates the degradation of heavy-duty components. The gap between the 2022 and 2023 tests shows a standard interval, but the current rate of travel places the vehicle under significant mechanical stress. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering geometry. The recurring reports of play in the steering rack inner joints and ball joints indicate that the steering assembly is nearing the end of its functional life and may require expensive replacement parts soon. Furthermore, the 2024 advisories regarding thin rear pads and worn front discs mean the current state of the braking system should be verified immediately, as no work has been recorded since then. Given the high mileage, a check for chassis corrosion is also essential to ensure the high-mileage use has not compromised the structural integrity of the frame.