2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2.9L Diesel · TA02 ADE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but shows a concerning trend of mechanical neglect and deferred maintenance. While it passed its most recent test in November 2025 at 74,700 miles, the tester noted slight play in both front lower suspension arm ball joints. This follows a significant failure just eleven days prior where these same components were flagged as excessively worn. The maintenance pattern suggests the previous owner only addresses faults when they reach the point of causing an MOT failure, rather than performing preventative servicing. The recorded mileage of 74,700 miles over eight years averages to approximately 9,300 miles per annum, which is consistent with typical annual usage for a luxury saloon of this age. However, the data reveals a burst of activity between October 2024 and November 2025, where the car covered over 7,000 miles in a short period. This rapid accumulation coincides with several critical mechanical failures, including a fractured inner road wheel and seized brake calipers, indicating the vehicle may have been under significant stress or driven in poor conditions during this interval. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the offside front inner road wheel, which was recorded as fractured in the November 2025 failure. Fractured wheels are high-risk components that often stem from previous impacts. The nearside rear brake system also requires close scrutiny; the record shows the caliper was grabbing severely and the disc was pitted and scored in late 2025. Given that the ball joints are already showing play despite recent repairs, the entire front suspension assembly is likely nearing the end of its functional life and will require expensive replacement soon to ensure handling stability and safety.