2005 Mercedes-Benz E 5.0L Petrol · LC05 NJO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy with a stable maintenance trend following a period of recorded mechanical concern. The most recent test in July 2025 at 190,973 miles passed with only a minor advisory regarding a damaged offside obligatory mirror. This represents a significant improvement over the 2022 inspection, where the car suffered multiple suspension and tyre-related defects, suggesting that the current owner has addressed the mechanical issues identified three years ago. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,100 miles per year. Between July 2023 and July 2024, the car covered 7,786 miles, followed by a more active 10,266 miles in the interval between the July 2024 and July 2025 tests. This steady accumulation indicates regular use, which is often beneficial for older Mercedes draughts and rubber components to prevent the perishage and seizing associated with long periods of inactivity. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension geometry and rubber bushings, as the 2022 record flagged wear across all four lower suspension arm bushes and a deteriorated ball joint dust cover. While these were cleared in subsequent tests, the high mileage of over 190,000 miles places significant stress on these components. The non-excessive oil leak noted in 2022 should also be monitored to ensure it has not progressed into a more significant leak over recent years. Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, a thorough check for structural corrosion is essential, particularly where the undertrays may have trapped moisture. The 2022 tester specifically noted that undertrays prevented a full view of all testable items. You must verify the integrity of the subframe and mounting points manually to ensure no hidden rust has compromised the chassis since the last clean passes.