2012 Mercedes-Benz C 1.6L Petrol · SW12 CHK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. While it passed its most recent test in November 2025 at 92,564 miles, this followed a significant failure just eleven days prior. The transition from a failure to a pass indicates that the owner addressed critical safety defects only when forced by legislation. The recurring nature of structural and mechanical faults suggests the vehicle is allowed to deteriorate until it reaches the point of legal illegality. At 92,564 miles over 14 years, the car has averaged approximately 6,600 miles per year, which is consistent with low-to-moderate usage. The mileage data shows steady progression, with only 1,772 miles recorded between the November 2024 and November 2025 tests, and 2,842 miles the year prior. However, the low mileage has not protected the vehicle from age-related degradation, as evidenced by the corrosion on the brake lines and subframe mountings, which occur regardless of distance driven. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the rear subframe and its mounting points. The November 2025 test flagged corrosion that was not yet structural, but the previous failure in the same month noted the subframe was very corroded. This indicates a progressive rusting process that will eventually compromise the structural integrity. Furthermore, the failure of all four brake pipes due to excessive corrosion in 2025 suggests the hydraulic system should be checked to ensure no leaks or thinning remain after the replacements. The front suspension also requires scrutiny. The nearside front upper suspension arm ball joint dust cover was noted as severely deteriorated in 2025, following a failure where the ball joint itself was excessively worn. The recurring mention of worn tyre edges across multiple years also points to potential alignment issues or worn suspension bushes. A buyer should verify that these suspension components have been replaced with quality parts and that the geometry has been set correctly to prevent premature tyre wear.