2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class 1.5L Diesel · PL63 EOK

The MOT history for this 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is dominated by a clean roadworthiness record, but the single failure in 2019 and the cluster of advisories recorded at that time are worth noting as part of the broader picture. Five tests have been passed without any defects recorded, including the most recent assessment on 22 June 2022, confirming that no advisory items were outstanding at the final test on file. The earlier failure in June 2019 involved a non-functioning horn and an illuminated supplementary restraint system warning lamp, both categorised as Major defects. These issues were apparently rectified, as the subsequent retest nine days later passed cleanly. The advisories attached to both the 2019 failure and the 2019 pass (engine noise, front tyres worn on both edges close to the legal limit, and cracking rear tyres) point to wear items typical of a vehicle that had covered meaningful mileage by that stage, though none of these were flagged again in 2020, 2021, or 2022. With six MOT tests recorded across roughly five years of testing history and an odometer reading of 120,109 miles, this B-Class has averaged around 10,000 miles per year over its life, which is broadly proportionate for a twelve-year-old family vehicle. There are no significant gaps in the testing record that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, and the mileage progression across tests has been steady rather than showing sudden jumps or stagnation. This consistent annual usage is the most plausible explanation for the engine noise advisory flagged back in 2019, as regular driving with a conventional service interval would accumulate general mechanical sounds over time. The fact that no further engine, oil leak, or under-bonnet advisories have appeared since 2020 suggests that the underlying condition has either not deteriorated to an MOT-reportable level or has been addressed. For a prospective buyer, the 2019 advisories are the most concrete indicators of components to inspect. The advisory noting front tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on both edges is consistent with either an alignment issue or worn suspension components causing uneven tyre contact, and a test drive should include listening for knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, particularly over speed bumps, as worn lower wishbone bushes, control arm joints, or top mount bearings are common on B-Class models at this mileage. Any pulling to one side under braking or a steering wheel that is not centralised should also raise concerns about the front suspension geometry, as this directly relates to the inner-edge wear pattern noted in 2019. The rear tyre cracking advisory points to age-related rubber degradation, and on inspection the sidewalls should be checked for visible crazing or sidewall flexing, particularly if the tyres are now several years old. The engine noise advisory from 2019 warrants careful evaluation, as it can range from minor ancillary drive noises to more serious internal engine sounds. During a cold start, listen for any rattling, knocking, or tapping from the engine bay that does not subside once the engine is warm, and check the exhaust for excessive smoke on start-up, particularly blue-tinged smoke which would indicate oil consumption. Given the vehicle's mileage, the diesel or petrol unit (depending on variant) should be inspected for oil seepage around the cam chain cover, valve cover gasket, and turbo oil lines if applicable. Finally, verify that the horn and airbag warning systems are functioning correctly, as the 2019 Major defects in these areas, while rectified at the time, should be confirmed as currently operational. A diagnostic scan for any stored SRS fault codes would also be prudent, since intermittent supplementary restraint system faults can recur without triggering the warning lamp at the moment of inspection.