2020 Mercedes-Benz A 1.9L Diesel · LS70 YAF

The most recent MOT, carried out on 9 September 2025, was passed but returned three advisories: the front brake disc shows wear approaching the minimum thickness, and both rear tyres exhibit early signs of cracking or perishing. The previous year’s test also recorded front‑brake disc wear and added advisories for the front tyres being close to the legal tread limit, while the rear‑tyre condition remained unchanged. This pattern indicates a stable overall pass rate but a gradual deterioration in the braking surface and tyre health, suggesting that wear items are being monitored but not yet replaced, and that the vehicle’s maintenance regime is keeping the car road‑worthy but is allowing consumables to run down. At six years old the car has logged 42 061 miles, averaging roughly 7 000 miles per annum. This is well within the typical UK usage envelope and points to relatively light to moderate use rather than high‑stress, high‑kilometre operation. The modest annual mileage reduces the likelihood of accelerated wear on major drivetrain components, yet the low utilisation may have contributed to tyre perishing and potential battery ageing, as components that sit idle for long periods can suffer from rubber hardening and electrolyte depletion. Prospective buyers should give the front brake discs a close visual inspection and measure the remaining thickness against the manufacturer’s minimum specification; any reduction below the safe limit will require immediate replacement and could be accompanied by a pulsating pedal or increased stopping distances. The rear tyres, flagged for cracking, should be examined for sidewall dry‑rot, especially around the bead and shoulder areas; any visible fissures, hard spots, or uneven wear patterns warrant replacement, as perishing rubber can separate under load and cause sudden loss of grip. The front tyres, already near the legal tread depth, should be checked for edge wear and tread uniformity – a shudder or vibration when braking or cornering may signal uneven wear or a developing fault in the suspension or wheel alignment. Given the vehicle’s age and relatively low mileage, a thorough age‑related inspection is advisable. Verify the condition of the 12 V battery, looking for corrosion on terminals and testing the cranking voltage; a battery older than four years often loses capacity and may fail unexpectedly. Inspect all fluid reservoirs – engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and power‑steering fluid – for colour, level and any signs of contamination, as time‑based degradation can occur even with modest mileage. Examine suspension bushes, ball joints and shock absorbers for looseness, cracking or oil seepage, and listen for clunking noises over bumps during a test drive. Finally, check for any signs of rust on the chassis, wheel arches and under‑body panels, as prolonged standing can promote corrosion that may affect structural integrity and wheel alignment. Addressing these items will give a clearer picture of the car’s current condition and any imminent maintenance costs.