2012 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · MX12 HSK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding brake line integrity. While the car passed the March 2026 test at 66,675 miles, the tester identified a new corrosion point on the nearside rear lower brake pipe. This follows a pattern of degradation seen in March 2025, where all four brake pipes were flagged for corrosion and contamination. The presence of grease on these lines often suggests previous attempts to mask leaks or corrosion without addressing the underlying metal oxidation. At 66,675 miles, this 14-year-old Mercedes shows significantly low mileage, averaging approximately 4,700 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related failure of rubber components rather than mechanical wear and tear. Between February 2023 at 55,088 miles and March 2024 at 59,616 miles, the vehicle covered only 4,528 miles, yet it failed its test during that period due to a structural bulge in a tyre and a worn coil spring failure. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the entire braking system to ensure the reported corrosion has not progressed to the union joints. The recurring issue of tyres worn to the legal limit or on edges across multiple years suggests a reactive approach to maintenance rather than preventative care. Furthermore, since the offside rear coil spring already failed in 2024, the suspension should be checked for signs of fatigue or perished bushings, as low-mileage vehicles often suffer from brittle rubber components over long periods of standing.