2010 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · KV10 OBO

The most recent DVSA MOT test recorded on 19 November 2025 shows a pass with no defects or advisories, which is the favourable result a prospective buyer wants to see. Reviewing the broader history, the vehicle has consistently passed its annual roadworthiness examinations across the past three years, with only two recorded failures on 19 November 2025 and 17 November 2023, both immediately followed by passes on the same dates, suggesting minor rectifiable issues corrected without delay rather than persistent underlying faults. The complete absence of advisories relating to brake wear, suspension components, tyre condition, corrosion, or exhaust emissions indicates the vehicle has been maintained to a standard where consumables and serviceable items are being replaced proactively before they reach MOT failure thresholds. Overall, the maintenance trend appears stable and well-managed, consistent with a vehicle that has received attentive care throughout its life. Against a sixteen-year build date, the recorded mileage of 138,758 miles equates to an average annual usage of approximately 8,672 miles, which sits comfortably within typical parameters for a car of this age and broadly aligns with what one would expect from a privately owned executive saloon. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged periods of standing, nor any evidence of abnormally rapid mileage accumulation between tests. For a Mercedes-Benz E-Class of this vintage and mileage, the mechanical wear profile will naturally concentrate on major drivetrain and chassis components rather than electronics or interior trim, and the consistent annual testing pattern suggests the vehicle has been in regular use, which itself helps preserve the health of seals, gaskets, brake components, and the 12V battery. Given the clean MOT record and the absence of recorded advisories, physical inspection should focus on age-related deterioration rather than specific flagged defects. Tyre sidewalls should be carefully examined for perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar age regardless of tread depth, and any brake discs visible through the wheel apertures should be checked for lipping and surface corrosion consistent with sixteen years of service. Although the vehicle appears to have been used regularly, the diesel and petrol variants of this era are known for age-related issues including perished suspension bushes, sagging coil springs, oil leaks from valve cover gaskets and rear main seals, and timing chain stretch on the higher-mileage petrol units. On a test drive, listen for clonks or creaks from the front suspension over speed humps, monitor for any steering wander or vibration indicating worn suspension arms, and observe whether the transmission changes smoothly without hesitation or judder. Additional buyer guidance should centre on confirming time-based servicing has been completed irrespective of the clean MOT history, as the MOT examination does not assess engine oil condition, brake fluid age, or coolant concentration. Brake fluid should ideally have been renewed within the past two to three years due to its hygroscopic nature, and the coolant system benefits from periodic renewal to prevent internal corrosion within the aluminium components. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as Mercedes-Benz vehicles of this generation are particularly sensitive to voltage drop, which can produce a wide array of misleading electrical fault codes. Request evidence of cambelt or timing chain service history depending on the engine variant fitted, verify that the digital instrument cluster and infotainment functions operate without flickering or pixel failure, and confirm the operation of the air suspension or conventional suspension system for any warning messages or uneven stance. A pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist or a main dealer is strongly advisable to interrogate the chassis electronics and confirm the absence of hidden corrosion in common areas such as the wheel arches, sills, and under-bonnet structural components.