2014 Mercedes-Benz C250 2.0L Petrol · LB64 XVR

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250 presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a stable but slowly worsening trend in front-end wear items. The most recent MOT, conducted on the 21st of February 2026 at 76,651 miles, passed but flagged a persistent advisory for slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. This exact advisory also appeared in the February 2025 test at 70,502 miles, indicating that the joint has been monitored for at least a year without replacement. While the vehicle has not yet failed on this component, the recurring nature of the advisory suggests the ball joint is approaching the end of its serviceable life. The tester also noted a nearside rear child seat fitted during both the 2025 and 2026 tests, which prevented a full inspection of the adult seatbelt at that position, a detail a buyer must verify physically. The mileage accumulation is consistent and predictable for a twelve-year-old saloon. Between the February 2022 test at 39,427 miles and the February 2026 test at 76,651 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 37,224 miles over four years, averaging just over 9,300 miles annually in that window. Earlier years were slightly lower, with about 11,653 miles added between February 2022 and February 2024. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer record, and the MOT entries align neatly with annual testing cycles, suggesting regular use rather than long periods of dormancy. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The recurring track rod end play points to general wear in the steering linkage, so check the offside rod end and inner tie rods for similar movement. The February 2025 advisory for rear brake pads wearing thin has not reappeared in the 2026 record, but the 2024 test noted worn rear brake discs, meaning the rear braking assembly has seen sustained use. Inspect the rear disc thickness and pad depth carefully, and look for any lipping or uneven wear. The 2024 advisory regarding a cut in the nearside front tyre sidewall also warrants attention; examine all four tyres for age-related cracking, given the car is now over a decade old. Finally, remove the nearside rear child seat to confirm the adult seatbelt retracts and locks correctly, as the MOT record cannot confirm its condition.