2009 Mercedes-Benz C 1.6L Petrol · OV59 SWY

A consistent pattern of edge-worn front tyres and isolated electrical/lamp faults defines the mechanical character of this 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. At the most recent assessment on 12 December 2025 the vehicle passed, but only after a same-day failed attempt where both front tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit and on their edges, with the failure itself rooted in a trivial windscreen washer shortage. Earlier, on 27 October 2021, a similar dual-outcome day was recorded: an offside front headlamp dip beam failure caused the initial fail, while the pass carried an advisory for a nearside rear tyre approaching the limit. Across nearly two decades the recorded defects are exclusively minor lighting, fluid-level, and consumable items, with no structural, braking, suspension, or corrosion advisories ever raised. The vehicle's MOT trend is therefore stable and uncomplicated, characterised by small, isolated rectification items rather than any progressive deterioration. The recorded mileage of 104,166 against a 17-year vehicle age translates to roughly 6,127 miles per year on average, which sits comfortably within typical annual usage for a car of this vintage. The MOT testing gaps are notable: there are no recorded DVSA tests between late 2021 and late 2025, a four-year interval which suggests the car may have either been off the road, exempt from testing for a period, or consistently passing outside the documented window. The mileage accumulation itself is linear and unremarkable, with no sudden jumps that would imply clock irregularities or prolonged periods of disuse followed by heavy running. Mechanically, this kind of moderate, steady usage is kind to the drivetrain and suspension, and the absence of advisories on rubber components other than tyres supports the view that bushes, springs, and dampers have not been subjected to the sort of thermal cycling and low-speed urban abuse that typically accelerates their wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas for physical inspection align closely with what the MOT history actually flags: the front axle geometry and tyre wear pattern. Because both front tyres have been recorded as worn close to the limit and on their edges, the camber, caster, and toe settings should be checked, and the front suspension linkages inspected for worn or perished bushes, bent wishbones, or tired coil springs. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly across speed bumps, and feel for any steering drift, vibration through the rim, or imprecise turn-in that would suggest the geometry has been compromised by worn components rather than simply by tyre wear. Also examine the inner and outer shoulders of any current tyres for feathering or scalloping, as this confirms whether the edge wear is ongoing. The remaining items worth addressing on inspection are the lighting and fluid items that have caused the recorded failures and advisories. Check the offside front headlamp operation on dipped beam specifically, verifying consistent illumination and that the lens is not heavily oxidised or cracked, and confirm all other bulbs function correctly. Ensure the washer system delivers a full, even spray across the windscreen from both nozzles, as a trivial fluid shortfall has previously resulted in a fail. Beyond these directly relevant items, carry out a thorough underside visual check paying particular attention to the rear subframe mounting areas, brake pipes, and suspension arms for any surface corrosion or fluid seepage, listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, and feel for any hesitation or roughness from the engine under load, all of which are routine due-diligence points for a Mercedes-Benz of this age and mileage.