2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L Diesel · PO64 LFL

The most recent MOT, dated 17 July 2025 at 136,379 miles, shows a pass, but only after a failure on the same day flagged both rear stop lamp bulbs blown and both rear brake pads worn thin. That pattern suggests the vehicle was presented in poor condition and repaired immediately to obtain a pass, rather than being maintained proactively. The overall trend is mixed: some years show a clean pass, yet the 2024 failure exposed serious steering and lighting defects, indicating periods of neglect rather than consistent upkeep. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical commercial van use. From 109,346 miles in June 2023 to 122,743 miles in June 2024 is an increase of roughly 13,400 miles in one year, then only 13,636 miles over the following twelve months to July 2025. That second-year accumulation is just over 1,100 miles, which is unusually low and could indicate the vehicle was largely stationary or used only for short local runs during that period. A long period of inactivity can itself cause problems, such as brake corrosion, tyre flat-spotting, and moisture ingress into electrical connectors. The 2024 failure is the most concerning entry. Both front track rod end ball joints were flagged, one worn to the risk of detachment, alongside an illuminated engine malfunction indicator lamp and a cracked windscreen. These are not minor consumable items; they point to deferred front-end maintenance and a potential emissions or engine management fault that was never fully diagnosed. The tester also noted play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and steering rack inner joints as far back as 2023, suggesting the steering and suspension components have been deteriorating gradually rather than being replaced in a single, thorough repair. A buyer should inspect the front suspension and steering with particular care. Check for play in tie rod ends, track control arm ball joints, and rack inner joints, and look for uneven tyre wear that could confirm a long-standing alignment or wear issue. Examine the rear brake pads and discs for uneven wear or corrosion given the sudden replacement flagged in 2025. Verify all rear lamp clusters function correctly and check the engine MIL is not illuminated on the dash. Finally, inspect the bulkhead and chassis rails around the rear brake lamp wiring loom for corrosion or chafing, as repeated bulb failures on one side can stem from poor grounding or water ingress rather than simple bulb wear.