2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.7L Petrol · MFS 4X

A seventeen-year-old Mercedes-Benz A-Class showing just 72,309 miles on the odometer presents a roadworthiness record dominated by clean passes, but the single failure in early 2025 and the cluster of advisories a year earlier reveal genuine mechanical vulnerabilities in the front braking and drivetrain areas. The latest test on 26 February 2026 was a pass with no advisories, confirming that the immediate safety items were rectified after the previous failures. However, the failure of 6 March 2025 recorded a split nearside front CV boot, excessive brake fluctuation on the nearside front service brake, and an advisory for thin inner front brake pads, all of which point to wear that had been building for some time. The 2023 advisories for corroded front and rear brake pipes, again concealed under a coating of grease, combined with a weeping offside front outer CV boot, suggest a front-end that has been working hard relative to the car's modest overall mileage, with brake pipe corrosion and constant velocity joint deterioration being early but definite concerns. The recorded annual mileage of roughly 4,253 miles is markedly below average for a vehicle of this age, and the MOT history does not show any extended gaps that would indicate a prolonged period off the road. Instead, the testing pattern from 2023 through 2026 is consistent with a car that has been used gently but regularly, which on paper preserves engines, gearboxes and interior components but often accelerates corrosion in places that rely on movement and heat to stay dry, such as brake lines, undersealed chassis sections and exhaust mounting points. The recurrence of brake pipe advisories on both sides of the front axle, with a further rear brake pipe advisory, is a clear signal that surface oxidation has been progressing on the braking circuit, a common issue on low-mileage cars that still see enough wet weather to attack ferrous components. Similarly, the split CV boot suggests the joint itself may have ingested contamination, meaning the grease condition inside that nearside front hub should be considered suspect even though the 2025 test result does not flag it directly. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to examine are the front brake discs and pads, the condition of all visible brake pipes along their full length, and the nearside front CV joint and its replacement gaiter. On a test drive, listen carefully for a rhythmic clicking or popping from the front nearside wheel when turning at low speed, which would suggest a worn CV joint following the historic split boot, and feel for any vibration through the steering wheel under braking that could indicate disc runout linked to the fluctuating brake reading recorded at the 2025 test. With the pads noted as wearing on their inner edge, the discs are likely to have been scored or lipped, so a firm brake pedal test from around 40 mph should reveal any judder, pulling to one side or an uneven pedal feel. It is also worth inspecting the brake pipes where they run along the underbody and rear axle for any bubbling or lifting of the protective coating, as the persistent grease coverage noted by the tester may have been hiding corrosion that could soon fail an MOT. Beyond the recorded items, low-mileage A-Class models of this generation are prone to oil seepage from the cam cover and balance shaft seals, and the rubber suspension bushes and anti-roll bar drop links tend to perish from age rather than mileage, so these should be examined on a ramp or with the wheels loaded. Confirm that the cooling system has been refreshed, as the plastic radiator and thermostat housing on this model become brittle, and ask for evidence of recent cambelt and water pump replacement given the car's age. A final check should confirm that all warning lamps extinguish promptly after start-up, that the auto box, if fitted, selects smoothly between D and R with the engine warm, and that there are no clonks from the front suspension over speed bumps, all of which would round out the picture for a vehicle whose MOT history is generally reassuring but whose underlying corrosion and drivetrain wear merit close physical scrutiny.