2016 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · OV66 BAA

A single Dangerous tyre separation failure on the nearside front in June 2024 anchors the mechanical narrative of this 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, though the broader DVSA record otherwise points to a relatively tidy roadworthiness profile. The Dangerous defect was addressed at the same test as evidenced by the pass recorded four days later on 1 July 2024, and the three subsequent tests in February 2025, February 2026 and most recently on 29 June 2026 returned clean passes with no advisories recorded. Across the seven MOT examinations listed, only that one Dangerous failure is recorded, with the remainder of the advisories limited to brake-related wear and a single rear tyre wear entry in 2023. The pattern therefore shows the vehicle has remained road-legal and largely defect-free, but the tyre failure is a reminder that catastrophic structural issues can present without prior warning on a W205 of this age. Mileage accumulation is moderate for a ten-year-old premium saloon, with 77,630 recorded miles on the odometer against an average annual figure of roughly 7,763 miles. The testing cadence is consistent at annual intervals from 2021 through 2026, with no extended gaps that would suggest a prolonged off-road period. The only mild irregularity is the short four-day interval between the June 2024 failure and the subsequent pass, indicating the vehicle was repaired and re-presented promptly rather than left laid up. Mechanical wear implications for this mileage band centre on consumables rather than major drivetrain items, though the cumulative effect of decade-old suspension bushes, coil springs, mounts and engine ancillaries should not be discounted purely because the MOT record is favourable. Given the repeated brake advisories over the years, particular attention is warranted to pedal feel and response under both light and firm applications, listening for grinding, vibration through the steering wheel or pedal judder that would indicate the previously flagged front brake disc wear has progressed since 2024. A road test should include a series of progressively firmer stops from around 40 mph to confirm the brakes pull evenly without drift to either side, and a quiet listen at low speed for any binding or scraping from the calipers after the pedal is released. The front discs in particular should be inspected for a visible lip at the outer edge, as the 2024 advisory suggests the wear margin was already reduced at that point and a further two years of use will have added to that deterioration. The single Dangerous tyre separation in 2024 is a more serious marker than a routine tread-depth advisory, so a close inspection of the remaining four tyres including the spare is essential, paying attention to the inner sidewalls which were specifically referenced in the failure notice. Bulges, cracking, unusual vibration through the steering at motorway speeds, or any uneven shoulder wear can indicate structural fatigue developing in tyres that may be approaching six years of age or more. Beyond the recorded items, a test drive over uneven surfaces and speed bumps should be used to listen for clonks or creaks from the front suspension, particularly from the control arm bushes and anti-roll bar links which commonly wear on W205 models approaching this mileage. Any warning lights, rough idle, or hesitation on acceleration would also warrant diagnostic investigation before purchase, as none of these items would have been assessed under the MOT standard.