2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1.5L Diesel · MM68 MOU

The most recent DVSA examination on 17 September 2025 produced a Pass alongside an advisory note concerning slight perishing or damage to the offside rear tyre, which is consistent with the calendar ageing of rubber on an eight year old vehicle. However, the same test date also produced a fail with a Dangerous defect for a split constant velocity boot on the offside front drive shaft, compounded by a missing retaining clip that would otherwise prevent dirt ingress. This follows hard on the heels of a Major failure recorded less than three weeks earlier on 30 August 2025, where both nearside and offside front outer CV boots were recorded as split. The picture this paints is one of a vehicle that passed cleanly through 2022 but has shown a clear deterioration in CV gaiter integrity over the last two MOT cycles, with the issue escalating from a Minor advisory in September 2024 to a Dangerous failure by late 2025. While the current pass suggests remedial work has been carried out, the recurrence and rapid progression of this specific component defect warrants careful scrutiny of the repair quality and the condition of the surrounding suspension and hub assemblies. The recorded mileage of 91,572 miles over an eight year life equates to an annual average of approximately 11,446 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and suggests the vehicle has been in regular use rather than left standing for prolonged periods. There are no extended gaps in MOT history to indicate long periods of inactivity, although the relatively low annual figure does mean the car sits within the lower third of typical mileage bands. Mechanically, this usage profile tends to be kinder to the drivetrain, clutch and engine internals than higher mileage equivalents, but it does mean the owner should still be vigilant for age related deterioration rather than purely wear related concerns, particularly on rubber components, fluids and electrical items that degrade with calendar time irrespective of miles covered. The recurring constant velocity boot failures are the single most significant concern in this vehicle's history and should form the centrepiece of any physical inspection. CV boots are flexible rubber or thermoplastic covers that retain grease within the joint while excluding water, grit and road salt, and once split they allow the lubricant to escape and contaminants to enter, rapidly accelerating wear on the precision ground internal components. The fact that both sides failed within a short period suggests the original components may have been of marginal quality, that the vehicle has been driven through deep water or over rough terrain, or that the suspension geometry is placing undue stress on the joints. A prospective buyer should jack the vehicle and rotate both front wheels by hand, listening for any clicking, grinding or roughness from the joints, and inspect the replacement boots and their clips for correct seating, security and the absence of grease throw. Any history of the work having been carried out by a recognised specialist with invoices for replacement joints rather than simply repacking and re-booting would be reassuring, as a contaminated joint will fail prematurely even with a new cover fitted. Beyond the CV joint history, the advisory tyre damage and perishing noted across multiple test dates is entirely consistent with the age of the vehicle and should be treated as a prompt to inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, tread depth and manufacture date, as rubber compounds harden and lose flexibility with time regardless of mileage covered. A full service history should be requested to confirm that brake fluid, coolant and automatic transmission fluid have been replaced on a calendar basis, as these degrade chemically every two to three years and can lead to corrosion within the cooling system or brake fade under heavy use. Given the vehicle's age, the condition and state of charge of the 12 volt battery should be verified, as Mercedes-Benz vehicles of this generation are particularly sensitive to voltage drops which can trigger spurious fault codes and electronic control unit anomalies. Finally, a thorough test drive should include a check for any suspension clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces, a feel for any vibration through the steering wheel which might suggest tracking or balancing issues following the recent CV work, and confirmation that the transmission changes smoothly through all gears without hesitation or flare, all of which would provide confidence that the underlying mechanical condition matches the now clean MOT record.