2015 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · LO02 KEZ

The defining mechanical issue with this 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the fracturing of the front coil springs, both nearside and offside, which resulted in a direct failure on 3 December 2025. A fractured coil spring is a serious structural and safety defect, as it can allow the affected corner of the vehicle to drop suddenly, leading to loss of control and potential tyre or arch liner contact. The fact that both front springs were found broken at the same test is unusual and points either to concurrent fatigue failure or prolonged operation with compromised components. The vehicle was retested the following day, 4 December 2025, and passed with advisories still recorded, meaning the springs were replaced and the car met minimum standards, but the underlying cause of the failures was not investigated by DVSA. Compounding this, an advisory for play in the offside steering rack inner joint was present on both the failed and passed tests in December 2025, indicating a progressive deterioration in the steering geometry that warrants close attention. With 74,920 miles recorded over roughly 11 years, the vehicle has accumulated approximately 6,811 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of this age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record to suggest long periods off the road, with tests conducted annually from 2023 through 2025, indicating reasonably consistent usage. This mileage profile would normally be expected to produce wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, and tyres, but not typically catastrophic suspension failures on both sides simultaneously, reinforcing that the spring fractures may relate to localised corrosion, manufacturing fatigue, or impact damage rather than simple mileage-related wear. The 2023 test also recorded an engine MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) inoperative defect and dangerously low tread on both rear tyres, suggesting that emission system and tyre condition were both neglected at that point, although subsequent tests in 2024 and 2025 show no repeat of these particular issues. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to confirm in writing that both front coil springs were replaced with genuine or equivalent quality components, ideally with an invoice from a reputable garage, and to verify the part numbers and origin of the replacements. The steering rack inner joint play flagged as an advisory should be physically inspected; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during full-lock steering manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or slack in the steering response. The 2023 MIL defect should prompt a check of any stored diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD-II scanner, and a review of the vehicle's service history for any subsequent emission system or sensor repairs. Given that both rear tyres were below the 1.6mm legal minimum in 2023, examine the current tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which can indicate suspension misalignment, and confirm that all four tyres are of matching specification. Finally, the fractured springs and steering play advisories together suggest that a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering assemblies, including strut top mountings, lower control arm bushes, and track rod ends, would be prudent before purchase.