2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC 1.8L Petrol · M1 KFS

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a persistent trend of escalating corrosion and wear-related components. While the most recent test in July 2025 at 121,574 miles passed, it introduced new advisories regarding a twisted rear brake hose, a corroded anti-roll bar, and a misting offside front shock absorber. This indicates that while previous faults are being addressed, the undercarriage and suspension are beginning to show significant degradation that requires proactive rather than reactive maintenance. At approximately 17 years old, the 121,574 miles represent an average of roughly 7,150 miles per year, which aligns with typical light road use for this age. The record shows consistent usage patterns with roughly 2,000 to 3,000 miles covered between annual tests from 2022 to 2025. This regularity suggests the vehicle does not sit stationary for long periods, though the steady mileage has contributed to the gradual failure of rubber bushes and metal brackets seen in the MOT data. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the suspension and braking systems due to recurring failures. Suspension arm ball joints and spherical bushes appeared in multiple tests between 2022 and 2024, indicating the front and rear assemblies are reaching the end of their service life. The nearside rear brake pipe is a chronic concern, flagged for corrosion from 2022 through 2024; the presence of grease on these pipes in previous tests may suggest an attempt to mask surface rust from the tester. The exhaust system also shows signs of structural neglect, with defective hangers and mounting brackets noted annually between 2023 and 2025. The light misting on the offside front shock absorber suggests a seal failure is likely to worsen soon. Particular attention should be paid to the structural integrity of the anti-roll bars to ensure the noted corrosion in July 2025 has not progressed into a structural weakness.