2011 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · ML11 NWX

The most recent MOT, conducted on 26 June 2025 at 97,034 miles, shows a pass, but the record for that same day reveals a prior failure on the same date for a blown offside rear stop lamp and an empty windscreen washer reservoir. These are trivial fixes. More telling is the pattern of advisories. Front brake pads have been flagged as wearing thin in three consecutive tests from June 2023 through June 2025. Front track rod ends and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints have shown slight play in the last two consecutive tests. This indicates a worsening trend in front-end wear rather than a resolving one. The car is currently roadworthy, but the front suspension and steering components are showing cumulative fatigue that demands attention. The vehicle is approximately 15 years old with 97,034 recorded miles, averaging roughly 6,469 miles per year. This is low-to-average annual mileage for a modern executive saloon. The mileage progression is consistent and shows no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes. Between the June 2023 test at 86,202 miles and the June 2025 test at 97,034 miles, the car covered approximately 10,832 miles over two years, which is a normal accumulation. There are no long periods of dormancy indicated by the record. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and steering geometry. The repeated advisories for slight play in both track rod ends and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints suggest these components are approaching the end of their service life. Check for uneven tyre wear on the inner edges, which would confirm the play is affecting wheel alignment. The front brake pads have been noted as wearing thin for three years running. Inspect the discs for lipping and scoring, as delayed pad replacement often damages the disc face. The 2023 failure for parking brake efficiency below 50 percent was a one-off, but a quick test of the handbrake hold on a steep incline is still wise. No structural corrosion or exhaust emissions failures appear in the history, which is a positive sign for a 2011 model.