2004 Mercedes ML 2.7L Diesel · NE04 FEK

The 2004 Mercedes ML currently holds no valid MOT. The most recent test on 5 December 2025 at 454,582 miles resulted in a failure, meaning the vehicle is not legally roadworthy as of today, 17 June 2026, unless a fresh pass has been obtained since that date. The overall maintenance trend is clearly worsening. What began as advisories and minor wear items has escalated into multiple simultaneous component failures and a corroded brake pipe, suggesting the vehicle has deteriorated rapidly in its most recent months of use. The mileage accumulation is exceptionally high for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 20,663 miles per year. Between the November 2024 pass at 437,512 miles and the December 2025 failure at 454,582 miles, the vehicle covered 17,070 miles in just over thirteen months. This intense recent usage rate, combined with the sheer cumulative mileage, places enormous stress on every wearing component. The MOT record itself is fairly consistent with annual tests, but the gap between the June 2023 failure and the December 2023 pass shows a significant wave of suspension repairs were carried out, likely masking deeper underlying fatigue that has now resurfaced. A buyer must treat this vehicle with extreme caution and conduct a thorough physical inspection before any purchase. The December 2025 failure flagged an offside front tyre with inner shoulder structural separation, which is a serious safety risk and indicates possible suspension alignment issues or chronic underinflation. Both front anti-roll bar bushes were excessively worn, and the nearside rear brake pipe was excessively corroded, a defect that directly compromises braking integrity. The persistent oil leak noted across multiple tests, from 2022 through 2025, has never been properly resolved and warrants investigation for failing gaskets or seals. Beyond the immediate failure items, the structural corrosion history is deeply concerning. The 2024 test flagged corrosion within 30cm of both front and rear chassis mountings, and the 2023 test recorded corrosion affecting structural rigidity front to rear. On a vehicle with this mileage, such corrosion near mounting points raises serious questions about long-term structural integrity. Suspension components have been a recurring theme throughout the record, with fractured rear coil springs, excessively worn ball joints, and corroded coil springs appearing repeatedly. Any prospective buyer should have the vehicle placed on a lift and inspected by a qualified technician, paying particular attention to chassis mounting points, brake pipe condition, and the full suspension assembly before committing to purchase.