2005 Mercedes 220 2.1L Diesel · KV55 DBY

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a pass in March 2026 at 164,147 miles, but the most recent service history indicates a period of significant mechanical and electronic instability. The maintenance trend is currently reactive rather than proactive. While the car passed its tests in 2024 and 2025 without defects, the failure in late January 2026 revealed critical electronic and suspension faults. The presence of an inoperative engine management light and an electronic stability control fault suggests underlying sensor issues that required immediate attention before the most recent pass. At 164,147 miles, the vehicle has averaged approximately 7,800 miles per year, which is consistent with typical usage for a twenty-one-year-old Mercedes. Data shows a spike in usage between January 2025 and January 2026, where the car covered over 5,000 miles in a single year. This increased mileage likely correlates with the rapid wear of suspension components noted during that period. The short interval between the failed test and the pass in early 2026 indicates the vehicle has been subjected to more frequent testing recently than in previous years. A buyer must inspect the front suspension geometry thoroughly, as the record shows a failure of both front ball joints in 2024 followed by a worn offside rear anti-roll bar linkage in 2026. These recurring failures suggest the rubber bushings and metal joints are reaching the end of their functional life simultaneously. The electronic faults involving the engine management and stability control systems should be verified with a diagnostic tool to ensure the codes were actually cleared and not merely masked. Finally, checking the headlamp alignment is necessary as both units were previously flagged for incorrect projection in January 2026.