2009 Mercedes-Benz E 3.5L Petrol · RV59 CCJ

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness status, though the history indicates reactive rather than proactive maintenance. The most recent test on August 9, 2023 at 195,644 miles resulted in a pass with no recorded defects, following a failure on the same day for both nearside and offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers. This immediate rectification suggests the previous owner was willing to address suspension component failures when necessary to maintain a valid certificate. At 195,644 miles, this 17-year-old Mercedes reflects an annual average of approximately 11,500 miles, which aligns with typical UK averages for a working vehicle. The record shows a consistent usage pattern between 2020 and 2023, with the vehicle covering roughly 20,000 miles in that three-year period. While the high mileage indicates significant wear on the drivetrain and chassis components, the lack of long periods of inactivity suggests the car has not sat for extended periods which often lead to the degradation of seals, rubber hoses, and fluid integrity. A physical inspection should focus on the front suspension geometry, given the previous failure of the anti-roll bar linkages. The buyer must check for excessive play in ball joints and worn control arm bushes, as these often fail at this mileage bracket. Additionally, the 2020 advisory regarding an offside front tyre worn on the edge indicates a potential history of alignment issues or worn shocks, which should be verified by examining the current wear patterns on all tyres. Given that the last MOT was conducted in August 2023, the vehicle is now nearly three years past its last recorded test. This significant gap is a concern as the current state of safety-critical components remains unverified. The buyer should specifically inspect the windscreen washer tank for leaks as noted in 2020 and check for signs of brake corrosion or binding calipers which are common on high-mileage German estates of this era. A thorough check of the structural integrity of the subframes and exhaust mounting points is essential to ensure that corrosion has not compromised the vehicle's foundation.