2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA 2.1L Diesel · SJ04 OLT

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA passed its most recent MOT on 29 April 2026 at 110,399 miles, just under two months ago, so the certificate is current and the record is highly relevant. The maintenance trend is worsening. The April 2026 test returned multiple advisories, including corroded rear coil springs, surface corrosion on both nearside and offside rear brake pipe hose ends, severely deteriorated anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers on both front corners, and slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint. These items point to advancing corrosion and suspension wear rather than a stable or resolving picture. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with roughly 10,000 miles per year. It moved from 87,126 miles in April 2023 to 95,257 miles in April 2024, then to 103,531 miles in April 2025, and finally to 110,399 miles in April 2026. There are no obvious gaps or sudden jumps in the record, and the annual test pattern suggests regular use rather than long periods of inactivity. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front and rear suspension and braking system. The recurring advisory for slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, first seen in April 2025 and still present in April 2026, suggests a joint that may be approaching the end of its service life. Combined with the deteriorated anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers, there is a reasonable expectation of play or wear in related linkages and bushes. The corroded rear coil springs and corroded rear brake pipe hose ends are more concerning, as spring corrosion can affect ride height and structural integrity, while corroded brake pipe connections may indicate underlying deterioration of the pipe itself rather than just surface rust. Tyre condition also deserves close attention. The April 2025 failure recorded multiple defective tyres, including bulging sidewalls and tread below the legal limit, and the April 2026 test flagged a damaged offside front sidewall. That pattern suggests the previous owner did not keep on top of basic tyre maintenance. Any inspection should include a thorough check of tyre age, sidewall condition, and tread depth, along with a careful visual assessment of brake lines, suspension joints, and underbody corrosion before purchase.