2014 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Electric diesel · LM64 SCZ

The defining mechanical story of this Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of brake-related deterioration that escalated from advisory wear to dangerous failure within a single testing cycle in late 2022, followed by subsequent clearance and a clean pass on 17 November 2022. The 4 November 2022 test recorded both rear brake discs as being in such a condition that they were seriously weakened, a categorisation reserved for components presenting an immediate risk, alongside a damaged windscreen, an ineffective wiper, and a missing nearside rear wheel fixing. Three days later the same rear discs were still flagged, though downgraded to advisories, but the windscreen remained a major failure along with the wheel fixing and wiper, suggesting either incomplete remedial work or a partial retest process. After this turbulent period the November 2021 pass and the November 2022 pass were clean, although the 2020 test already carried advisories for both rear brake pads wearing thin and a slight offside front wheel bearing play, indicating that the brake and chassis wear issues had been developing gradually before the 2022 failures. With 268,349 miles recorded against a 2014 registration, this vehicle has accumulated roughly 22,362 miles per year, a figure well above the typical mileage profile for a car of this age and one that places sustained demand on every major mechanical assembly. The MOT record shows testing gaps of more than twelve months between the October 2018 pass and the April 2019 pass, and between the April 2019 pass and the September 2020 test, which may suggest either extended periods off the road or simply the biennial exemption applicable at the time, but the cumulative mileage implies the car has seen considerable active service. High annual mileage of this nature accelerates wear on suspension components, braking hardware, drivetrain mountings, and interior trim, and the advisory pattern visible from 2020 onwards is broadly consistent with a chassis that has absorbed significant real-world use. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking system warrants particular physical scrutiny on inspection and test drive. Given the history of both rear discs scoring and reaching dangerous condition, the present discs should be examined for lipping, heat checking, and surface corrosion, and the calipers should be checked for binding or uneven pad wear by ensuring both pads on each side retract cleanly after application. The offside rear coil spring fracture recorded in November 2021 is a serious suspension failure indicative of metal fatigue, so the remaining springs, top mounts, and shock absorbers should be inspected for cracking, sagging, or fluid leakage, and the test drive should include a listen for clonks or thuds over uneven surfaces that might suggest compromised spring seats. The 2020 advisory for offside front wheel bearing play means the bearing has likely been renewed or is due, and any humming that varies with cornering speed would confirm renewed attention is required. The remaining recorded items, though seemingly minor, also merit attention. The nearside front tyre damage advisory from 2022, the offside front tyre wear advisory from 2020, and the missing road wheel fixings flagged as majors in 2021 and twice in 2022 all point to either hurried wheel changes or a pattern of unsecured fastenings, both of which are immediate safety concerns. A missing wheel fixing on multiple occasions is particularly significant and should prompt questioning about how the vehicle has been serviced and who has been removing wheels. The 2020 advisories for both rear brake pads wearing thin are also relevant given what subsequently occurred with the discs, and on test drive the buyer should feel for any rear brake judder, pulling, or inconsistent pedal response under firm application. Finally, while the most recent recorded test in November 2022 passed without defects, the intervening failures and advisories across multiple testing cycles indicate a vehicle whose brakes, suspension, and basic safety items have demanded repeated intervention, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a competent independent technician would be a prudent step before commitment.