2009 Mercedes C 2.1L Diesel · OY09 AAJ

A pattern of tyre-related advisories is the primary mechanical takeaway from this vehicle's recent inspection history, despite a series of successful passes. While the 2025 and 2022 tests showed no recorded defects, the most recent test on 19 January 2026 flagged both nearside and offside rear tyres for damage, cracking, or perishing. This follows a 2024 advisory regarding a nearside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge, suggesting that while the vehicle maintains its structural and mechanical compliance, the consumable rubber components are a recurring point of attention. The recorded mileage of 135,994 miles over a 17-year lifespan equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 8,000 miles. This represents a typical usage profile for a vehicle of this age, suggesting consistent, moderate use rather than extreme motorway mileage or prolonged periods of inactivity. Mechanically, this level of usage means that while the drivetrain and major suspension components have not been subjected to excessive high-speed stress, they have undergone sufficient cycles of operation to necessitate regular monitoring of wear items like bushes, seals, and braking components. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the condition of all four tyres, specifically looking for the sidewall cracking and perishing noted in the January 2026 advisory. During a test drive, it is essential to check for any vibrations through the steering wheel or unusual road noise that could indicate uneven tread wear or structural degradation in the tyre carcasses. Given the previous advisory regarding edge wear on the nearside front tyre in 2024, a thorough inspection of the wheel alignment and suspension geometry is warranted to ensure there is no excessive pulling to one side or uneven scrubbing of the tread. Beyond the tyres, the lack of recorded defects in the middle years of the MOT history suggests that major components such as the braking system, exhaust, and lighting have remained within operational parameters. However, because the recent advisories focus on rubber degradation, the buyer should also inspect other age-related rubber components, such as suspension bushes and engine mounts, for signs of perishing or splitting. Listen for any knocking or clunking sounds when driving over uneven surfaces, which could indicate that the rubber components in the suspension linkages are beginning to fail.