2007 Mercedes A-Class 2.0L Petrol · LB07 CJB

This near two-decade-old Mercedes A-Class presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by a consistent pattern of tyre and brake-related advisories rather than any structural or mechanical failure, with the most recent test on 7 August 2025 passing cleanly apart from pitted and scored rear brake discs noted on both sides. That rear brake advisory is particularly telling because it represents a genuine escalation rather than a continuation of previous concerns; throughout the 2022, 2023, and 2024 test cycles the advisories clustered almost exclusively around the offside tyres, with the 2024 cycle culminating in a failed test on 7 August 2024 due to an inoperative front windscreen washer before the vehicle was repaired and presented for re-test the following day. The progression from purely cosmetic tyre wear advisories in 2022 and 2023, to a failure point in 2024, and finally to the first non-tyre-related mechanical advisory on the braking system in 2025, suggests the car is now entering a phase where consumable wear items are beginning to demand closer attention rather than being borderline observations. There is no recorded corrosion, suspension, exhaust, or lighting concern anywhere in the visible MOT record, and the overall trend points to a vehicle that has remained roadworthy throughout its life while accumulating a steady stream of minor advisory items. The recorded odometer reading of 100,961 miles against a 2007 manufacture date equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,300 miles, which is notably below the typical mileage for a vehicle of this age and indicates either genuine low-use driving or extended periods of stationary inactivity between test dates. The MOT testing record itself shows annual tests without any multi-year gaps, which means the mileage accumulation has been broadly consistent year-on-year rather than reflecting a recent recommissioning after a lay-up. For a Mercedes A-Class of this vintage, this lower-than-average mileage can be a mixed blessing; on one hand, the engine and drivetrain have not been subjected to the wear associated with high-mileage motorway use, but on the other hand, extended periods of short journeys or standing can accelerate corrosion on underbody components, degrade rubber seals and bushes through lack of use, and allow brake discs to corrode and pit due to infrequent operation. The presence of pitted rear brake discs on the 2025 advisory could well be linked to light, infrequent use of the vehicle rather than friction wear from heavy braking. A prospective buyer should focus their physical assessment on the rear braking system given the 2025 advisory, and during a test drive should listen carefully for any grinding, pulsation through the brake pedal, or rear-end instability under firm braking that would suggest the pitted discs have progressed beyond their serviceable limit. The nearside and offside rear discs should be visually inspected through the wheel apertures for visible lipping, rust pitting, or blueing from heat, and a finger run across the disc surface will reveal any significant ridges or grooves. The front windscreen washer system should be confirmed as fully functional, as the 2024 failure indicates this was an issue at the last cycle and the system on these A-Class models can suffer from perished washer hoses or a failed pump. The offside front inner tyre edge wear noted in 2024 should be checked for any remaining uneven wear pattern, which on a Mercedes A-Class can point to worn front suspension components, particularly wishbone bushes, track rod ends, or anti-roll bar drop links, so any knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces during the test drive warrants immediate investigation. Given the age of the vehicle at nineteen years old, attention should also turn to areas that do not feature in the MOT record but are common failure points for the W169 generation A-Class, including the condition of the rear axle, subframe mounting points, and exhaust mounting rubbers, all of which can suffer from corrosion and perishing over time. The test drive should include a series of low-speed manoeuvres to detect any clonking from the rear suspension, which on these models is often linked to worn trailing arm bushes. Steering response should be checked for any vagueness or pulling to one side, particularly since the offside tyre edge wear could indicate an underlying geometry issue that may or may not have been resolved. Finally, given the low annual mileage, a thorough inspection of all rubber components including the drive belt, coolant hoses, and suspension bushes is advisable, as age-related degradation of rubber is a more pressing issue than mileage-related wear on this particular vehicle.