2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.3L Petrol · LS68 NMA

The most recent MOT, carried out on 26 September 2025, resulted in a failure due to a missing nearside rear wheel fixing, a serious safety item under regulation 5.2.1 (a) (i). Prior to that date the vehicle recorded a clean pass, and the earlier three‑year history (2022‑2024) shows only advisory items and no outright failures, indicating that overall maintenance has been acceptable but has now slipped with a lapse in wheel‑fastening security. With 17,873 miles recorded on a vehicle first registered in 2018 the average annual mileage works out at roughly 2,200 miles. This is considerably below the typical UK average of 7‑10 000 miles per year and suggests the car has spent long periods idle or has been used only for short, low‑stress journeys. Low utilisation reduces wear on engine, transmission and brake components, but it also means that age‑related degradation of rubber and metal parts can progress unchecked, and corrosion may develop in areas that have been stationary for extended periods. The immediate priority for a prospective buyer is to verify that the nearside rear wheel fixing is correctly re‑installed and that the appropriate wheel bolts are present, torqued to the manufacturer’s specification and free of stretch or fatigue. While on the road, listen for any wheel‑hop, wobble or uneven vibration that could indicate a loose hub or damaged suspension bushings, and inspect the rear axle and sub‑frame for signs of corrosion around the mounting points. The 2023 advisories about a nail in the nearside rear tyre and edge‑wear on both front tyres also demand a thorough tyre inspection: check tread depth across the entire width, look for sidewall cracking, bulges or embedded debris, and confirm that the tyre pressures are correct. If any tyre is within a millimetre of the legal 1.6 mm limit or shows uneven wear, replacement is advisable to avoid premature failure. Given the vehicle’s low mileage but eight‑year age, a buyer should also examine age‑sensitive components that are not mileage‑driven. Inspect all rubber hoses, coolant and brake lines for hardening, cracking or swelling, and verify that the timing belt or chain has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s calendar interval. Examine the battery for sulphation or reduced cranking power, and consider a load test. Check the brake discs for surface rust, scoring or glazing, and ensure the calipers move freely without binding. Finally, request a full service book to confirm that oil, filter and fluid changes have been performed at the recommended intervals, as fluid degradation can occur even with minimal use. Addressing these points will give a clear picture of the car’s true roadworthiness and any imminent maintenance required.