2005 Mercedes C 2.5L Petrol · RY05 JGX

This 2005 Mercedes C-Class presents a worsening maintenance trend, culminating in a recent failed test on 7 October 2025 at 154,445 miles before scraping a pass just five miles later. The October 2025 failure for split anti-roll bar linkage dust covers was rectified to achieve the pass, but the underlying wear signatures remain deeply concerning. The vehicle carried over multiple significant advisories from its October 2024 test, indicating a clear pattern of deferred upkeep. The current roadworthiness is marginal at best, relying on components that have remained in a degraded state across consecutive tests. Mileage accumulation is consistent with the vehicle's age, averaging roughly 7,355 miles annually over 21 years. The recorded distance climbed from 143,902 miles in October 2023 to 150,464 miles by October 2024, and then to 154,450 miles by October 2025. This shows a deceleration in annual use during the most recent period, dropping from around 6,500 miles a year to just under 4,000 miles. Such a shift often indicates the car is sitting for longer periods, which typically accelerates undercarriage corrosion rather than alleviating it. A buyer must prioritize a thorough structural assessment before purchase. The rear sub-frame and rear vehicle structure carry persistent corrosion advisories dating back to October 2024, and these rust issues have visibly worsened by the latest test. Structural rigidity remains technically uncompromised for now, but underbody rust on a twenty-one-year-old Mercedes demands immediate physical verification to ensure the corrosion has not breached the failure threshold since that October 2025 pass. Front wheel bearing play on both sides has also lingered across two test cycles, pointing to worn hubs that will soon require replacement. Beyond the chassis rot, the braking and suspension systems require urgent hands-on inspection. The front brake discs have been flagged as pitted and scored since October 2024, while a 2023 advisory for fluctuating service brakes suggests underlying disc thickness variation or hub runout that the current worn discs will only exacerbate. The split anti-roll bar dust covers that triggered the October 2025 failure were merely a symptom of broader front suspension deterioration, especially given the excessively worn lower suspension arm ball joint flagged in October 2024. The engine oil leak, noted as non-excessive but present for over a year, also warrants a close look to rule out rear main seal or timing cover weep.