2008 Mercedes C 1.8L Petrol · LS08 NRE

The 2008 Mercedes C-Class presents a maintenance trend that is currently worsening, particularly regarding electrical reliability, despite holding a valid MOT from October 2025. The vehicle passed its most recent test on 2025-10-23 at 61,536 miles, but failed earlier that same day due to both rear stop lamps and both rear direction indicators failing simultaneously. This points to an intermittent electrical fault or a temporary fix applied solely to pass the test. The windscreen damage advisory has persisted across multiple years, indicating cosmetic neglect rather than a structural risk. Brake disc wear remains a recurring mechanical theme, with pitting and scored surfaces flagged consistently, suggesting prolonged use without replacement or corrosion from standing. The recorded mileage of 61,536 miles equates to roughly 3,419 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for an eighteen-year-old vehicle. Between the June 2023 test at 59,156 miles and the October 2024 test at 60,079 miles, the car covered just 923 miles over sixteen months. Mileage accumulation then stalled entirely, recording the exact same 61,536 miles in October 2025 as the previous test. Such minimal use often causes specific deterioration issues, such as perished rubber components and corroded brake discs from standing, rather than high-mileage wear. A buyer must physically inspect the braking system, as the tester repeatedly flagged worn, pitted, and scored brake discs on both axles. Low-mileage corrosion frequently causes this pitting, leading to juddering or reduced braking efficiency. The rear lighting cluster requires immediate investigation; the simultaneous failure of both stop lamps and direction indicators in October 2025 suggests a common earth fault, wiring loom degradation, or a failed control unit rather than simple bulb failure. Although the June 2023 failure noted severely perished and cut tyres, the subsequent pass implies replacement, yet the rubber should still be checked for age-related cracking. Finally, verify the windscreen damage remains outside the driver's swept view and inspect the wiper blades, which were previously flagged for ineffective clearing.