2005 Mercedes-Benz SL 3.7L Petrol · LT55 OCV

The vehicle currently shows a worsening maintenance trend characterized by reactive repairs rather than proactive care. While the car passed its most recent test in August 2025 at 108,394 miles, this followed a significant failure just one month prior. The July 2025 failure revealed multiple critical issues, including fractured coil springs, a broken parking brake lever, and defective steering components. The transition from failure to pass suggests that the owner only addressed faults once they reached the point of legal failure, which often points to underlying mechanical neglect. At 108,394 miles, this 21-year-old Mercedes has averaged a low mileage of approximately 5,162 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with the degradation of rubber components and metal parts due to time. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the vehicle covered only 5,600 miles, yet it suffered a catastrophic failure of the suspension and steering system. This indicates that the low mileage is not protecting the vehicle from age-related wear, such as perished perished or metal fatigue-related fractures. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering assembly. The record shows recurring issues with the nearside drag link, steering rack inner joints, and shock absorber bushes between 2023 and 2025. The August 2025 advisory also noted new play in the steering rack inner joint and a corroded offside front brake pipe. The presence of grease on the brake pipe is a common tactic to hide corrosion, requiring a close look at the structural integrity of the hydraulic lines. The braking system also requires scrutiny. The tester flagged thin rear brake pads and worn discs in August 2025, while the July 2025 failure occurred because brake performance could not be tested. This suggests potential binding calipers or seized components that have not been properly maintained. Given the history of broken springs and steering play, the buyer should verify that all recent repairs were performed to a professional standard and not merely temporary fixes to pass the MOT.