2017 Mercedes-Benz V 2.1L Diesel · OU17 ABV

The defining feature of this Mercedes-Benz V's MOT history is a recent tyre-related failure on the nearside rear, which followed an advisory on the same corner issued only twelve months earlier. On 7 February 2026 the vehicle was presented for test and recorded a Dangerous Pass for a nearside rear tyre whose tread pattern was no longer visible across the entire tread area, meaning the rubber had worn below the 1.0 mm legal threshold. This was the first advisory failure in the recorded DVSA history, with the three preceding tests (2023, 2024, and the earlier 2025 pass) returning either clean results or minor advisories. The 2025 test had already flagged the nearside rear tyre as worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, indicating that the wear progression was visible a full year before the tyre ultimately became illegal. Coupled with the nearside front brake pads being noted as wearing thin at the same 2025 inspection, this corner-specific wear pattern warrants close scrutiny by any prospective buyer, as it may point to alignment geometry, suspension geometry, or persistent underinflation rather than simple consumption. Against an age of roughly nine years, the recorded 140,937 miles equates to an annual accumulation of around 15,660 miles, which sits well above the average for a passenger vehicle of this vintage. There are no unusual gaps between tests, with annual examinations consistently recorded between 2023 and 2026, and the mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than sporadic, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular use throughout. High annual mileage of this nature typically accelerates wear on friction components, tyres, suspension bushes and bearings, and drivetrain mountings, and it is reasonable to expect that consumables such as brake discs and pads, shock absorbers, and possibly clutch or dual-mass flywheel components may have already been replaced or be approaching replacement thresholds on a vehicle of this age and usage. The combination of the 2026 Dangerous failure and the 2025 advisories makes a careful physical inspection of the tyres and brakes essential before purchase. Inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, feathering along the tread ribs, or inner-edge wear that is not visible from a casual glance, as the nearside rear may have been masking a wider geometry issue; verify that the new tyre fitted after the failure matches the manufacturer's specification for load index and speed rating, and check the spare and inner sidewall for any cracking given the age of the rubber. For the braking system, the 2025 advisory on nearside front pads being thin should be followed up by checking pad material thickness directly, inspecting the nearside front disc for lipping or scoring, and confirming that the offside front has not been allowed to wear disproportionately in compensation. On a test drive, listen for any squeal or grinding under light braking, feel for vibration through the pedal that could indicate disc runout, and check for pulling to one side under firm stops which could indicate a binding caliper or a sticking hydraulic slider. The high annual mileage and the recent tyre and brake advisories should also prompt a broader check of the suspension and steering components that are commonly stressed on a heavily used vehicle. With the nearside rear tyre having worn unevenly, pay particular attention to the rear suspension arms, trailing links, anti-roll bar bushes and coil springs for any signs of cracking, sagging or perished bushes; a firm bounce test at each corner and a listen for clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces will help reveal worn top mounts or drop links. The steering should be checked for any play at the straight-ahead position, and the tracking should be verified with a four-wheel alignment gauge rather than assumed correct simply because a new tyre has been fitted. Finally, given the overall mileage, inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting rubbers and joins, check the engine and transmission for any oil seepage from the sump, cam covers or differential, and confirm that the service interval has been adhered to, as the combination of age and high usage makes undocumented maintenance a more significant risk than on a lower‑mileage example.