2005 Mercedes CLK 1.8L Petrol · LX05 LUW

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of deteriorating suspension and damping components. While the most recent test in April 2026 at 143,438 miles passed, it flagged several unresolved or emerging issues from previous years. Specifically, the offside front suspension arm bush and the nearside rear shock absorber with reduced damping have persisted as advisories since the 2025 failure. This suggests that the owner is addressing only the minimum requirements to pass rather than performing preventative mechanical repairs. At 21 years old, the recorded 143,438 miles represent an average usage of approximately 6,800 miles per year. This figure is consistent with a low-use luxury vehicle, though low mileage often masks the degradation of rubber-based components due to age alone. Between the May 2023 test at 133,159 miles and the April 2026 test, the car covered roughly 10,000 miles, indicating a steady and predictable usage pattern that matches the mechanical wear seen in the record. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry, as the record shows recurring faults with ball joints and arm bushes across three different years. The presence of corrosion on the rear suspension mounting areas noted in 2025 requires close attention to structural integrity to ensure the rust has not progressed beyond a surface level. Additionally, the oil leak flagged in the 2026 test should be identified to determine if it is a minor seal seep or a more significant gasket failure that could require expensive repairs on this Mercedes engine.