2002 Mercedes C 2.7L Diesel · LS52 MLZ

A fractured rear coil spring is a safety-critical MOT failure, and the fact that this 2002 Mercedes C has recorded exactly that defect in November 2024 represents the defining mechanical concern in its history. The car passed a re-test just two days later on 29 November 2024 with no advisories, suggesting the spring was replaced, but a fractured coil on a 22-year-old vehicle of this mileage is a meaningful indicator of suspension fatigue rather than an isolated event. Compounding this, the front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin on three separate occasions across November 2023, November 2024, and as an advisory issued alongside the failed test, demonstrating a consistent pattern of pad wear that a buyer should treat as an ongoing maintenance liability rather than a resolved concern. The most recent pass on 26 November 2025 was clean apart from advisory notes on both front tyres showing slight perishing and damage, which is consistent with the natural ageing of rubber on a car of this vintage. The recorded odometer reading of 118,530 miles across approximately 24 years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 4,939 miles per year, which is substantially below the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age. Such a low annual figure can be interpreted in two ways: either the car has been used lightly and sparingly, or it has spent extended periods stationary. There are no large multi-year gaps in the MOT testing record, with tests recorded annually from November 2022 through November 2025, indicating the vehicle has remained on the road consistently. Mechanically, low-mileage cars of this age present their own characteristic risks, particularly around seized components, perished rubber, dried seals, and degraded fluids, rather than the outright wear typically associated with high-mileage examples. The fractured rear coil spring warrants particular attention during a physical inspection. The replacement component fitted in late 2024 should be verified, and the offside rear should be checked closely for any signs of sagging, knocking over uneven road surfaces, or a lowered corner stance, as coil springs on a Mercedes of this generation frequently fail progressively before fracturing fully. It would also be prudent to inspect the front MacPherson struts, top mounts, and suspension arms for any play or deterioration, given the spring failure on the rear. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over speed humps and rough tarmac, and pay attention to any wandering behaviour from the rear axle, which can suggest worn spring seats or deteriorating shock absorbers. The repeated brake pad advisories suggest the front braking system should be examined thoroughly before purchase. On inspection, the caliper slide pins and guide channels should be checked for free movement, as seized sliders are a common cause of uneven pad wear on older Mercedes models. The discs should be measured for wear and inspected for lipping or corrosion scoring, and a test drive should include a series of firm stops from around 30 mph to detect any vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal, which would indicate disc distortion. Finally, the perished front tyres should be replaced regardless of remaining tread, as aged rubber loses grip and structural integrity long before the tread depth is exhausted, and a general inspection for any oil leaks from the engine and automatic transmission should be carried out, as 24-year-old seals on Mercedes-Benz vehicles of this era are a known weak point.