2011 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · R90 DAN

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT in May 2025, although this followed a failure just four days prior. The overall maintenance trend appears to be declining, as the vehicle moved from a clean record in 2024 to multiple suspension and braking concerns in 2025. The failure was triggered by a major fluid leak from the offside rear shock absorber, indicating that the chassis and suspension components are now entering a phase of significant wear. With a recorded mileage of 117,352 miles over approximately fifteen years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 7,823 miles per year. This is considered typical usage for a premium executive saloon of this vintage. While the mileage is not excessive, it is sufficient to expect the natural degradation of rubber bushings, dampers, and drivetrain consumables, which aligns with the defects currently appearing in the official history. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the braking system, as a history of brake judder and fluctuating service brake readings suggests potential disc warping or uneven pad wear. During a test drive, the driver should feel for any steering wheel shimmy or pedal pulsation under braking. Furthermore, listen for a rhythmic humming or droning sound from the offside front, which would indicate the progression of the recorded wheel bearing play. Any clunking or knocking sounds when traversing uneven road surfaces may be attributed to the play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint. It is essential to verify that the offside rear shock absorber was replaced rather than merely patched, as a leaking damper compromises vehicle stability and can lead to accelerated tyre wear. Check the underside of the vehicle for a loose heat shield, which often causes metallic rattling during acceleration. Finally, given the age of the vehicle, a thorough inspection of the service history is required to ensure that calendar-based maintenance, such as transmission fluid changes and coolant flushes, has been performed to prevent long-term mechanical degradation.