2014 Mercedes-Benz C 2.1L Diesel · WD64 TVJ

The vehicle remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 2026-05-11, passed with minor advisories, but the maintenance trend is worsening. The same test date saw a failure for the offside rear inner tyre exhibiting a cut deep enough to expose ply or cords, a critical safety defect. Combined with the prior failure in May 2025 for suspension ball joints and tyre wear, the pattern suggests escalating mechanical neglect rather than resolved issues. The nearside rear child seat obstruction, while not a structural fault, repeatedly hindered full belt inspection, indicating a persistent oversight in preparation for testing. Mileage progression shows a steady annual increase of approximately 8,300 miles, consistent with typical usage for a 12-year-old vehicle. The jump from 87,741 miles in April 2024 to 93,570 miles in May 2025, then to 99,577 miles in May 2026, reflects normal wear without any suspicious gaps or sudden spikes. The data is clean and continuous, with no evidence of odometer tampering or long periods of inactivity. The vehicle’s age and mileage align with market expectations, though the recent failures suggest that wear on critical components is accelerating faster than typical for its mileage. Buyers should inspect the suspension system closely, particularly the front lower ball joints, which were flagged as excessively worn in May 2025 and still showed play in 2024. These components are vital for steering precision and safety, and their deterioration may indicate a need for full replacement. The repeated tyre failures, especially the deep cut on the offside rear inner tyre, demand a full tyre inspection and possible replacement, as well as a check for wheel alignment or suspension geometry issues that may cause uneven wear. The nearside rear child seat obstruction should be addressed to ensure full belt compliance in future tests. Structural integrity should also be verified, especially around the rear wheel arches and suspension mounting points, as corrosion or fatigue may have contributed to the ball joint wear. Brake systems, particularly the rear calipers, should be checked for binding or uneven wear, as these were not flagged in the most recent test but were previously noted in earlier MOTs. A thorough mechanical inspection by a qualified technician is strongly advised before purchase, as the MOT history reveals a pattern of unresolved mechanical issues that may not yet be fully apparent to the untrained eye.