2011 Mercedes-Benz C 1.8L Petrol · SB11 KUK

A recurring pattern of failures related to basic wear-and-tear items defines the roadworthiness history of this vehicle, specifically regarding tyre tread and braking components. While the car passed its last recorded test on 6 January 2023, this followed a failure the previous day involving dangerous defects with both rear tyres and the rear brake pads. This trend of failing on consumables is also evident in 2017, where the vehicle failed on rear tyre tread depth before passing. The recorded mileage of 67,984 miles is low for a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 4,532 miles per year. Such a low annual accumulation rate suggests the vehicle has spent significant periods stationary or has been used for very short journeys. Mechanically, low-use vehicles can be prone to different wear patterns than high-mileage examples, often seeing rubber components perish due to age rather than friction and braking systems potentially suffering from seizure or corrosion due to inactivity. Particular attention should be paid to the front suspension and steering components, as the 2019 test flagged play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and wear in the nearside front suspension arm bush. During a test drive, listen for knocking or clunking sounds when traversing uneven road surfaces or during low-speed manoeuvring, which would indicate these components have deteriorated further. Given the history of dangerous failures for tyre tread and brake pad thickness, a thorough physical inspection of all four tyres and the current state of the brake discs is necessary to ensure they meet legal limits. Check for any pedal judder or uneven braking force during deceleration, which could point to binding calipers or warped discs sometimes associated with vehicles that have experienced periods of low usage and delayed consumable replacement.