2017 Mercedes-Benz C 1.6L Diesel · LC17 EYD

The most recent MOT, conducted on 23 June 2025 at 67,870 miles, resulted in a pass, but the maintenance trend is best described as stable with minor, persistent issues rather than fully resolving. The tester flagged a light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber and noted that both front brake pads were wearing thin. These same two advisories appeared in the failed test just six days earlier on 17 June 2025, alongside an engine MIL fault and an oil leak from beyond the undertray with the oil level at minimum. The fact that the car passed the retest suggests the MIL and immediate oil leak concern were addressed, yet the shock absorber misting and thin front pads carried through, indicating a pattern of deferred suspension and brake attention rather than a one-off fix. The 2024 test at 58,039 miles also flagged both front and rear tyres worn close to the legal limit on the edges, while the 2023 test at 48,128 miles recorded a cut in the nearside front tyre. Tyre wear and brake pad wear are consumables, but the repeated appearance of thin pads and edge wear across consecutive years suggests the car may have been driven in a manner that accelerates wear, or that replacements were not always carried out promptly. The mileage pattern is broadly consistent with the car’s age. From the June 2022 test at 37,764 miles to the June 2023 test at 48,128 miles, the car covered 10,364 miles in twelve months, which is above the roughly 7,500 miles per year average suggested by the overall 67,870-mile total over nine years. The subsequent intervals show a marked slowdown: 9,911 miles between June 2023 and June 2024, then just 217 miles between the June 2025 fail and retest. The sharp drop in annual mileage after 2023 may reflect lighter use or longer periods standing, which can itself lead to deterioration of rubber components, brake surface corrosion, and fluid degradation. The record is not sparse, but the gap between 2024 and 2025 shows relatively low mileage accumulation, making the recurring brake and suspension advisories more notable given the reduced wear expectation. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The offside front shock absorber has shown oil misting in two consecutive 2025 tests, which points to a deteriorating damper seal. Check for uneven damping response, knocking over speed bumps, and any visible oil residue on the damper body and surrounding suspension components. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in both June 2025 tests, so measure remaining pad thickness and inspect the discs for scoring, lipping, or uneven wear. The oil leak noted as coming from beyond the undertray, with the oil level at minimum during the failed test, warrants a thorough underside inspection. Look for fresh oil on the engine sump, gearbox, or steering rack, and check the undertray for residue that might indicate whether the leak was properly rectified or merely masked for the retest. Tyre condition also deserves close attention. The 2024 test recorded both nearside tyres worn on the edges close to the legal limit, and the 2023 test noted a cut in the nearside front tyre. Inspect the current tyres for edge wear patterns that could indicate worn suspension bushes, misaligned tracking, or underinflation, and examine sidewalls for cuts or bulging. Given the relatively low mileage in the most recent year, check for flat spots or perishing from prolonged standing. Finally, verify the operation of the engine MIL and any stored fault codes, as the inoperative MIL flagged in June 2025 suggests the system may have been manipulated or a fault cleared without proper diagnosis. A full diagnostic scan and a test drive covering varied road surfaces will give the clearest picture of whether the car’s mechanical condition matches its recent pass or masks underlying neglect.