2005 Mercedes S-Class 3.7L Petrol · LM54 FPF

The most recent MOT on 2022-08-23 shows the vehicle passed with no defects recorded at 103,537 miles. This is encouraging, but it masks a recurring issue that appeared twice before. Brake pipes on both rear corners were flagged as corroded and covered in grease in the 2018 and 2020 MOTs. Grease masking corrosion is a known risk—it hides deterioration from view and can delay detection until failure becomes critical. Although the pipes passed in 2021 and 2022, the fact that the same fault reappeared after being previously recorded suggests the underlying corrosion problem was not fully resolved or addressed only temporarily. The mileage trend is low: ~4,930 miles per year over 21 years. This could indicate light use or extended periods of inactivity—both of which carry risks. Low mileage often means less wear on moving parts, but it can also mean rubber mounts, seals, and hoses dry out or crack from lack of use. Without regular driving, fluids may stagnate, and corrosion can progress unchecked in areas not regularly flushed or dried by operation. There is no evidence of worsening in the MOT records since 2020—no further defects were recorded in the last two tests—but the absence of a defect does not prove the pipes are sound.