2005 Mercedes C 2.1L Diesel · KS05 EYA

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status following a clean pass on October 21 2025 at 176,597 miles. However, the immediate history reveals a period of deteriorating maintenance during late 2024. While the most recent test showed no defects, the preceding failure in December 2024 highlighted a significant accumulation of mechanical neglect involving suspension components, lighting, and emissions. The trend suggests a reactive maintenance approach where the owner only addresses faults after an MOT failure occurs rather than following a preventative service schedule. At 21 years old, the recorded 176,597 miles represent an average usage of approximately 8,400 miles per year, which is consistent with typical light-duty commuting. The data shows a notable spike in activity between February 2024 and October 2024, where the vehicle covered over 7,600 miles in just eight months. This rapid accumulation likely contributed to the accelerated wear seen on the rubber components and suspension joints, as evidenced by the simultaneous failures of ball joints and anti-roll bar link covers recorded during that period. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension, as the tester previously flagged both offside and nearside lower arm ball joints as excessively worn. Attention should also be paid to the front wheel bearings, which already showed signs of play in early 2024. The recurring corrosion of the rear exhaust silencer across multiple tests in 2024 indicates the exhaust system is nearing the end of its functional life, requiring a check for structural integrity around the mounting hangers. Additionally, the previously reported engine malay management light failure in December 2024 necessitates a diagnostic scan to ensure the underlying sensor faults were actually rectified and not simply cleared.