2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK 1.8L Petrol · LD52 EXZ

A 23-year-old Mercedes-Benz CLK with two clean passes at its most recent tests, on 10 October 2025 and 7 September 2024, presents an outwardly tidy DVSA record, but the underlying pattern is less reassuring than it first appears. Two failures are recorded within the sequence, on 2 September 2024 and 28 July 2023, and both carry no defect details, which means the technician logged the vehicle as failing the test but did not record advisory or failure items on the database. This is most often associated with a vehicle presented in an unroadworthy condition such as bald tyres, no fuel, an illuminated management light, or failed emissions, with the underlying reason not captured. The immediate next test in each instance resulted in a pass with no advisories, suggesting the issue was rectified quickly, but because the specific cause is unknown, a prospective buyer cannot rule out a recurring fault. The overall trend across five tests is one of stable roadworthiness at the point of test, paired with an opaque failure history that warrants direct verification with the seller or test station. At 122,003 miles over 23 years, this CLK has covered only around 5,300 miles annually, which is markedly low for any vehicle of this age and particularly for a Mercedes-Benz coupé of this generation. Such limited annual use typically points to a vehicle that has either been reserved for occasional leisure driving or, more concerningly, has spent extended periods off the road. Standing for long stretches tends to accelerate deterioration in areas that only suffer when a car is in regular service, including brake calipers binding or seizing, suspension bushes drying out and cracking, rubber boots perishing, brake discs corroding at the hub face, and 12V battery decline. The fact that the MOT history shows relatively continuous testing with no multi-year gaps suggests the vehicle was at least being presented annually, but the low mileage implies that wear items may have aged rather than worn, and component condition should be assessed on that basis rather than purely on odometer reading. Given the age of the vehicle and the Mercedes-Benz CLK's known chassis characteristics, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension assemblies, including the upper and lower wishbones, the front coil springs, anti-roll bar drop links and subframe mountings, all of which are prone to wear and corrosion on this model. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or wandering through the steering wheel on motorway sections, which can indicate worn linkages or top mount deterioration. Brake feel should be tested both at low speed and from higher speed, with any judder under pedal pressure suggesting warped front discs, especially relevant given the low mileage and likelihood of corrosion between uses. The brake pedal should be firm and the handbrake should hold the car on a moderate incline without creeping, as seized rear calipers are common on low-use vehicles of this age. Beyond the suspension and braking systems, the underbody and structural areas of the CLK deserve close physical inspection, particularly the front subframe, jacking points, rear axle mounting areas and the sills, as Mercedes-Benz vehicles of this era are recognised for subframe and structural corrosion once they pass the two-decade mark. Oil leaks from the sump, valve cover gaskets and front timing cover should be looked for on cold start, with a tell-tale cloud of smoke or visible drips on the driveway after the test drive. The V6 and V8 engines fitted to this generation can also suffer from guide rail and balance shaft wear, so any rattling on startup that does not settle within a second or two should be treated seriously. Finally, ask the seller directly for documentation relating to the two failed MOT tests, as identifying the precise reason for each will either confirm a one-off rectification such as a tyre replacement or reveal a recurring mechanical concern that the test database alone cannot disclose.