2009 Mercedes C 2.1L Diesel · KY09 HXT

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows signs of accelerating wear consistent with its high-mileage status. The most recent test in December 2025 at 419,144 miles flagged thin front brake pads on both sides and a deteriorated rear registration plate. This follows a 2024 test that identified play in the nearside front suspension ball joint and an inoperative lamp. While the car continues to pass, the shift from clean reports to multiple mechanical advisories suggests components are reaching the end of their life. The mileage profile is exceptionally high for a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging over 24,000 miles per year. There is a significant gap in data between July 2023 at 220,311 miles and December 2024, where the vehicle covered 183,503 miles in just over seventeen months. This rapid accumulation indicates heavy motorway use, which places specific strain on the drivetrain and suspension compared to typical urban driving. The lack of records during that peak period makes it difficult to verify if preventative maintenance was performed between those intervals. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry, as the record shows recurring issues with ball joints and bushes starting in 2023. The braking system requires close attention; the 2023 advisory regarding rear brake imbalance followed by the thin front pads noted in 2025 suggests a potential for sticking calipers or worn rotors. Given the extreme mileage, the structural integrity of the chassis should be checked for hidden corrosion, as the MOT record does not account for surface rust in the subframes or mounting points.