2005 Mercedes C 1.8L Petrol · LR55 YTV

The most recent MOT, conducted on 15 March 2025 at 131,002 miles, passed, but the maintenance trend over the preceding two years is mixed rather than clearly improving. The vehicle failed on 12 February 2024 at 121,017 miles due to fractured offside front and rear coil springs and a non-functioning offside headlamp dipped beam. Both coil springs were replaced before the retest on 15 February 2024 at 121,047 miles, which passed. However, the 2025 test at 131,002 miles shows recurring advisories on both front suspension rod pins or bushes worn but not resulting in excessive movement, a corroded rear brake pipe covered in grease or other material, a slight oil leak, perishing nearside front tyre, and slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint. The suspension wear and brake pipe corrosion have persisted across multiple tests, suggesting these items are being monitored rather than permanently rectified. The mileage accumulation of roughly 6,238 miles per year over twenty-one years is typical for a vehicle of this age and does not indicate unusually light or heavy use. The MOT record shows a gap between March 2022 at 118,961 miles and February 2023 at 120,115 miles, a span of nearly twelve months covering only 1,154 miles, which may reflect a period of reduced use or a missed test year. From February 2023 to February 2024, the vehicle covered 932 miles in twelve months, and then from February 2024 to March 2025 it covered 9,955 miles over thirteen months, indicating a noticeable increase in recent usage. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension, particularly the wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, and the condition of the coil springs, which were replaced in early 2024 but may now be subject to renewed wear. The rear brake pipe corrosion flagged in 2024 and again in 2025 warrants inspection of the full brake line run for structural integrity, especially where contamination or grease may be masking deeper corrosion. The recurring advisory on front brake discs worn, pitted or scored, combined with thin rear brake pads, suggests the braking system has seen sustained use without a documented full overhaul in recent years. The oil leak noted in 2025, though described as not excessive, should be traced to its source, as leaks on a twenty-one-year-old Mercedes C-Class commonly originate from the rocker cover gasket, oil cooler seals, or the power steering reservoir. Tyre condition should also be verified, as perishing has appeared on the nearside front across three consecutive tests.