2009 Mercedes-Benz C 1.6L Petrol · OV59 CSY

The most recent DVSA examination dated 3 March 2026 resulted in a pass with no defects or advisories recorded, which is the ideal outcome from a roadworthiness perspective. It is worth noting, however, that the vehicle was presented for test the day prior, on 2 March 2026, and failed, though no specific defect categories were captured in the available record. The previous tests from March 2025, May 2023, and March 2022 all returned clean passes, indicating that the overall maintenance trend has been broadly stable and consistent with a vehicle that has been kept in serviceable condition. The absence of any recorded advisories over the four most recent examinations suggests that wear-related items such as tyres, brakes, suspension components, and exhaust system have not yet reached the thresholds where examiners feel obliged to flag them, which is a positive indicator for a prospective buyer. With a recorded mileage of 124,217 miles across approximately seventeen years of service, this Mercedes-Benz C-Class has averaged around 7,300 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a privately owned executive saloon of this vintage. There is a noticeable gap in the MOT history between March 2022 and May 2023, and again a longer interval between May 2023 and March 2025, which suggests the vehicle may have spent periods off the road, perhaps through SORN registration, storage, or limited seasonal use. Such gaps are not inherently concerning but do mean that certain age-related degradations may have progressed independently of mileage accumulation, particularly corrosion on brake discs, deterioration of rubber components, and fluid degradation. Given the clean advisory history and the age of the vehicle, a prospective buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on time-related wear rather than purely mileage-driven wear. The tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking, which is common on vehicles of this age even when tread depth remains adequate, and the wheels should be inspected for any signs of kerbing damage that could indicate harsh use. The brake discs, being exposed components on an older vehicle that may have stood for extended periods, should be checked for surface corrosion and the calipers tested for any binding or sticking, which can manifest as pulling to one side under braking or uneven pad wear. The exhaust system should be raised on a ramp if possible to check for corrosion at the mounting points, joints, and silencer, as these are known failure areas on vehicles that have seen multiple winters of road salt exposure. The 12-volt battery should be tested for its state of charge and cranking performance, as batteries typically require replacement every five to seven years and a unit of this age may be approaching the end of its service life. All fluid services should be verified through the service book and paperwork, with particular attention to brake fluid, which has a calendar-based replacement interval of typically two to three years regardless of mileage, engine coolant which degrades over time, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable. On the test drive, listen for any suspension clonks or knocks over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or top mount bearings, and pay attention to any steering vagueness or uneven tyre wear that could indicate worn suspension components. Given the clean MOT history but the advanced age of the vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent Mercedes-Benz specialist would be highly advisable to identify any developing issues before commitment to purchase.