2005 Mercedes-Benz ML 2.7L Diesel · RX55 AOS

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend in mechanical wear and deferred repairs. While it passed its most recent test on 14 July 2026 at 173,873 miles, this followed just two weeks after a significant failure. That June failure highlighted critical safety issues including play in the steering rack inner joints, excessively worn ball joints, and a completely inoperative parking brake. The recurrence of steering and suspension component failures suggests that the owner is only addressing mechanical faults when forced by an MOT failure, rather than performing proactive preventative maintenance. At 173,873 miles over 21 years, the Mercedes has averaged approximately 8,280 miles per year, which is consistent with typical annual use for its age. However, the interval between tests has become erratic recently, with two tests occurring in June and July 2026 within just 161 miles of each other. This indicates the vehicle is being pushed through a period where components are failing in rapid succession. The record shows clean passes between 2023 and 2025, suggesting a period of stability that has since been disrupted by the rapidly aging chassis and steering assembly. A buyer must scrutinize the condition of the rear brake pipes, which have been flagged as corroded and covered in grease in 2017, 2018, and most recently in 2026. The presence of grease on these pipes often indicates an attempt to hide structural corrosion from the tester. Furthermore, the repeated failures of front anti-roll bar linkages and ball joints indicate the front suspension geometry is reaching the end of its service life. Immediate inspection of the steering rack inner joints is essential to ensure the recent repairs fully addressed the risk of steering linkage failure.