2005 Mercedes S-Class 2.8L Petrol · KY55 AXZ

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding front end components. While it passed its latest test in April 2026 at 156,004 miles, this followed a significant failure ten days prior at 155,900 miles. That failure revealed multiple critical defects, including excessive play in the offside front track rod end and perished ball joint dust covers on both front suspension arms. The persistence of a slightly rough steering system advisory in the passing result suggests that while immediate failures were rectified, the underlying steering geometry or components remain suboptimal. At 156,004 miles, the vehicle averages approximately 7,400 miles per year, which is consistent with a 21-year-old luxury saloon. The mileage data shows steady usage patterns, with roughly 2,000 miles covered between April 2025 and April 2026, and approximately 3,700 miles between November 2023 and April 2025. This consistent annual interval suggests the car has not suffered from long periods of stagnation, which often leads to accelerated degradation of rubber seals and hydraulic systems in older Mercedes models. However, the low mileage relative to age does not exempt the vehicle from age-related wear on complex suspension bushings. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension and steering linkage. Given the 2026 failure of the track rod end and ball joints, it is essential to test for play in the entire steering rack and check the condition of the tear-drop control arm bushings. The 2023 advisory regarding worn front tyres on the edge indicates potential alignment issues or camber wear that should be verified. Additionally, attention should be paid to the exhaust mounting, which was noted as defective in 2023, to ensure the hangers have not suffered significant corrosion or structural failure since that report.