2016 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · LR66 WLD

The defining mechanical story for this 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a recent and sudden regression in roadworthiness, breaking what had been a consistently clean record. From its first test in 2019 through January 2025, the vehicle passed every MOT with only minor advisories, mostly relating to rear tyre wear. However, the 2026 testing cycle reveals significant new concerns. A test on 17 July 2026 resulted in a failure due to a fractured offside front coil spring, an illuminated Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp, and a malfunctioning Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. While a retest three days later on 20 July 2026 resulted in a pass, the underlying issues that prompted the failure—particularly the fractured spring and the electronic safety system faults—represent a sharp departure from the vehicle's previous reliability and warrant immediate scrutiny from any prospective buyer. With 90,119 miles recorded over approximately ten years, the vehicle has averaged around 9,000 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and class. There is a notable gap in the MOT history between October 2020 and January 2023, a period of over two years with no recorded tests. The mileage recorded at the start and end of this gap suggests the vehicle was either in use without being tested during this window or potentially off the road for a period. The jump from the 2020 test to the 2023 test indicates continued regular use, meaning mechanical components like suspension bushes, brake lines, and drivetrain mounts have endured typical wear for a high-mileage executive saloon without recent inspection verification during that interim period. Given the specific components flagged, a prospective buyer should focus heavily on the suspension and electronic safety systems during a physical inspection and test drive. The fractured nearside front coil spring is a serious structural failure; listen for sharp knocking noises or a harsh, crashy feel over bumps, particularly when turning into driveways or over undulating surfaces, and check for uneven ride height at the front corners. On the nearside front wheel, inspect the spring visually for any sign of replacement or uneven jacking marks on the strut. The Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates an active airbag or seatbelt pretensioner fault; this should be diagnosed with a Mercedes-compatible diagnostic tool to retrieve the specific fault codes, as it could relate to crash sensors, wiring under the seats, or the steering clock spring. Likewise, verify the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is currently operational and check all four sensors. Routine service items also demand attention based on the historical advisories. The recurring advisory for offside rear tyre edge wear suggests an underlying tracking or suspension geometry issue on that corner, which may also have contributed to uneven load on the recently fractured spring. Carefully inspect the offside rear wheel alignment and check for worn rear suspension bushes or trailing arms. The 2019 advisory regarding thinning rear brake pads suggests the braking system has seen considerable wear; during a test drive, feel for any pulsation through the brake pedal or any pulling to one side under deceleration, and listen for scraping or grinding that would indicate worn discs alongside the pads. Finally, inspect the nearside rear tyre wall for the same edge wear pattern noted in 2020 to determine whether the vehicle has an ongoing geometry or camber issue that requires addressing.