2004 Mercedes C 1.8L Petrol · RV04 HBF

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history indicates a reactive rather than proactive approach. While it passed its most recent test on 31 October 2025 at 215,589 miles, this followed a failure just six miles prior. That previous failure revealed multiple critical safety defects, including a fractured nearside front coil spring, a tyre with exposed cords, and thin rear brake pads. The trend suggests the owner only addresses mechanical faults once they result in an immediate MOT failure, rather than performing scheduled preventative maintenance. At 215,589 miles over 22 years, the car has averaged approximately 9,800 miles per year, which aligns with typical annual usage for a vehicle of this age. The data shows consistent use, with 13,000 miles covered between the November 2023 and November 2024 tests, and another 13,400 miles in the following year. This steady accumulation suggests the vehicle has not sat idle for long periods but places significant mileage strain on rubber components, suspension bushings, and drivetrain elements. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension, as the record has already flagged a broken coil spring and a damaged track rod end dust cover. The offside rear lower suspension arm bush noted as worn in 2023 likely requires further attention and should be checked for excessive play or tearing. Furthermore, the recurring issue of thin rear brake pads across 2024 and 2025 indicates that the braking system is nearing the end of its service interval. Attention should also be paid to ensure the SRS warning lamp fault from 2024 has been properly rectified, as airbag faults represent a significant safety risk.