2018 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · KS18 FFX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening trajectory regarding front-end components. While it passed the latest test in May 2026 at 104,176 miles, the tester identified multiple defects that were not present in previous years. The appearance of a deteriorated offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover alongside play in the offside front track rod end indicates that steering and suspension components are beginning to fail due to accelerated wear. The mileage pattern reflects consistent high-intensity usage, averaging approximately 13,000 miles per year over the eight-year period. There is a significant jump in mileage between June 2024 at 77,145 miles and May 2025 at 90,728 miles, where the vehicle covered over 13,000 miles in under eleven months. This high mileage puts considerable strain on the drivetrain and braking systems, which is evidenced by the 2022 advisory regarding a worn offside front tyre and the recent mechanical failures following the clean 2023 and 2024 tests. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry to assess the extent of play in the track rod ends and ball joints. The recurring nature of the track rod end issue from 2025 to 2026 suggests that previous repairs were either insufficient or that the components are failing rapidly. The new report of an oil leak in the May 2026 test requires a close underbody inspection to determine if it is a minor seal failure or a more significant gasket issue that could require expensive engine intervention.