1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK 3.2L Petrol · S10 OBB

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile, showing a trend of consistent maintenance following a period of concern. The most recent test in November 2025 at 88,950 miles resulted in no recorded defects, indicating that the mechanical issues identified in previous years have been addressed. This follows two consecutive clean passes in 2024 and 2025, suggesting the car is currently in a well-maintained state despite its age and the history of minor faults. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a 28-year-old Mercedes, averaging approximately 3,177 miles per year. The data shows a steady, slow progression of use, moving from 51,854 miles in July 2012 to 88,950 miles in late 2025. This low usage suggests the vehicle has been used sparingly. While low mileage generally implies less wear on the drivetrain and engine, the long intervals between use often increase the risk of age-related degradation in rubber components and fluid chemistry rather than mechanical fatigue from distance. A buyer must focus closely on the structural integrity of the sills and mounting points. The records from 2019 flagged corrosion on the offside rear integral body structure and nearside front integral structure, while 2017 noted corrosion on a suspension mounting area. Although these were not failures at the time, rust is a progressive condition on older vehicles that requires physical inspection for hidden swork. Additionally, the history shows a recurring theme of brake pipe corrosion and hose deterioration between 2013, 2018, and 2019, so a check of all hydraulic lines for surface pitting or perished cracking is essential. The failure in November 2023 at 82,956 miles highlighted a lapse in basic consumable maintenance, involving thin brake pads, scored discs, and structural tyre tears. While these were rectified to achieve the subsequent pass, the buyer should verify the current state of the brake components and tyres. Given the history of cracking tyres noted far back as 2013, the age of the rubber bushings and suspension components should be inspected for dry rot or cracking, regardless of the low mileage recorded.