2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK 1.8L Petrol · LN59 OGT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding the front suspension assembly. In the most recent test in February 2026 at 135,671 miles, the tester identified severely deteriorated front arm ball joint dust covers and slight play in both front wheel bearings. These issues are direct recurrences from the January 2025 test, indicating that while the vehicle passed after repairs, the underlying mechanical wear was not fully rectified or has progressed rapidly. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,000 miles per year. There was a significant gap of over 13,000 miles between January 2024 and January 2025, followed by another 12,600-mile interval leading to the 2026 test. This steady usage suggests the car is driven regularly rather than sitting for long periods, which often helps prevent dry-rot in seals but the accumulation of 25,000 miles in just two years contributes to the accelerated degradation of rubber components and bearings seen in the later records. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension. The recurring failures of the wheel bearings and ball joint dust covers suggest the entire front-end geometry is nearing the end of its service life. The exhaust system should also be checked for corrosion and secure mounting, as it was flagged as being insecure in early 2025. Given the history of a fractured offside front coil spring, the buyer should also inspect all springs for signs of fatigue or uneven tyre-edge wear, which would indicate alignment issues or shock absorber failure.