2013 Mercedes-Benz E220 AMG Sport CDI Auto 2.1L Diesel · LR63 CFU

A consistent record of MOT passes since 2022, including a clean outcome on 19 July 2025 with no advisories or defects recorded, presents this E220 CDI as a mechanically sound proposition on paper. However, the December 2023 test provides the most useful diagnostic snapshot of the vehicle's condition, when it failed on rear brake imbalanced requirements only just being met, accompanied by advisories for front brake pads wearing thin, a brake pad wear warning light illuminated on the dashboard, and both front tyres worn close to the legal limit on their edges. The fact that the immediate retest on the same date passed cleanly suggests the braking imbalance and pad wear were addressed shortly thereafter, but the combination of these advisories points to a braking system that was working harder than ideal at that point, potentially from a sticking caliper, a perished flexible hose, or simply worn components reaching the end of their service life on a car of this age and mileage. With 82,863 miles accumulated over roughly thirteen years, this E220 has averaged around 6,374 miles per year, which sits comfortably within typical UK usage for a diesel executive saloon of this era. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, and the mileage progression between tests appears steady and consistent with regular, modest daily use rather than motorway commuting or short-hop urban driving. This kind of usage pattern is generally kind to the diesel powertrain, allowing the DPF, turbocharger, and dual-clutch or torque converter automatic to operate under healthy thermal load without excessive cold-start wear, though it does mean the braking and suspension components have accumulated considerable real-world fatigue from years of pot-hole exposure and routine stop-start driving. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items should centre on the braking system, given the 2023 advisory cluster. On a test drive, listen for any squeal or grinding from the front calipers, particularly on cold starts, and check for a pulling sensation under firm braking that could indicate a binding caliper or a flexible hose that has deteriorated internally. Feel for pedal sponginess or excessive travel, both of which can suggest corrosion within the brake servo or a master cylinder issue common on higher-mileage Mercedes of this generation. Inspect the inner and outer faces of all four brake discs for lipping, corrosion scoring, or blueing from overheating, and verify that the rear calipers are sliding freely on their guide pins, as imbalance issues frequently originate at the rear axle on these models. Beyond the braking system, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension geometry, as the 2023 advisory noted both front tyres wearing on their edges, which is a classic symptom of worn wishbone bushes, tired top mounts, or droop linkages rather than simply old rubber. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the front axle, and check for vague steering response or a slight pull to one side that could indicate perished bush material has allowed camber to shift. Also examine the front subframe mounting points and the lower control arms for any surface corrosion or play in the joints, as these are known wear areas on the W212 chassis. Given the clean 2024 and 2025 test outcomes, much of this work may already have been completed, but a thorough pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp remains strongly advisable to confirm the integrity of the components flagged in the 2023 record.