2003 Mercedes A-Class 1.6L Petrol · RV03 BAA

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend regarding the steering and suspension components. As of the most recent test in April 2025 at 87,011 miles, the tester identified a significant increase in advisories that were not present in previous years. While the car passed, the accumulation of faults in the steering rack inner joints, steering column universal joint, and various suspension arm bushes suggests that the front-end geometry is reaching a stage of degradation that requires proactive attention. At 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 87,011 miles represents exceptionally low usage, averaging approximately 3,800 miles annually. The data shows a distinct gap in activity between February 2022 and April 2023, where the vehicle covered only 600 miles in over a year, suggesting it may have sat stationary for long periods. This low-use pattern often leads to the deterioration of rubber-based components due to age, as seen in the recurring cracking and perishing of the tyres across multiple test years. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the steering system, as the inner rack joints and the steering column universal joint have been flagged for play or wear in four consecutive tests. The suspension also shows signs of material fatigue, with worn lower arm bushes and anti-roll bar pins noted in the 2025 record. The persistent corrosion on the rear exhaust box skin has been a known issue since 2022 and should be monitored to ensure it does not progress to structural failure of the system. The tyres represent another recurring point of concern with repeated reports of stress cracking and uneven inner-edge wear dating from 2022 through 2025. The distorted inner wheel edges noted in 2022 further indicate potential past alignment issues or curb hitting that should be verified visually. Given the age of the Mercedes A-Class, the buyer should confirm that the brakes remain free and that the rubber components have not become brittle despite the low annual mileage.