2009 Mercedes A-Class 1.7L Petrol · WN09 SFJ

Tyre perishing and deteriorated registration plates form the consistent thread running through the MOT history of this 2009 Mercedes A-Class, with the most recent test on 17 August 2026 recording a pass but again flagging cracking on both rear tyres, a nail in the offside rear tyre, and continued deterioration of the front and rear number plates. This is a pattern that stretches back several years: cracking and perishing advisories appeared on the nearside rear and offside front tyres at the August 2025 test, which was initially failed (the reason for that failure is not specified beyond the accompanying advisories and the long-standing inoperative nearside rear registration plate lamp, which has been logged as a Minor at every test since 2025 and is essentially a repeat finding). A nearside front tyre was flagged as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge in July 2023, suggesting that the tyre wear pattern on this car warrants close attention rather than being a one-off. The MOT record is otherwise remarkably free of structural, brake, suspension, or corrosion advisories across the four tests shown, with no advisory relating to brake pipes, discs, callipers, springs, bushes, subframes, or exhaust integrity at any point. With 45,076 miles recorded against a 17-year-old vehicle, the annual accumulation of roughly 2,650 miles is exceptionally low and points to a car that has spent significant portions of its life either stationary or used only for very short journeys. Mechanically, this kind of usage profile tends to produce dry, cracked rubber components (which aligns perfectly with the recurring tyre perishing advisories) and can accelerate ageing of seals, bushes, and flexible hoses through lack of regular thermal cycling rather than through wear. It also means that the braking, suspension, and drivetrain components have not been stressed by high mileage, but their condition will be heavily dependent on whether the vehicle has been exercised regularly or left standing for long periods between short trips. The absence of any mileage gap or sudden jump in the records suggests the odometer has progressed steadily year on year, so the reading should be consistent with general wear. Given the chronic tyre condition advisories, any prospective buyer should carry out a close physical inspection of all four tyres, paying particular attention to sidewall cracking, tread depth across the full width (not just the central grooves), and any uneven shoulder wear that could indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues. The nearside front inner edge wear noted in 2023 should be re-checked, as the 2026 test did not specifically flag this tyre, but a steering pull, vibration through the wheel, or uneven feathering across the tread on a test drive would suggest the geometry has not been addressed. Because the offside rear currently has a nail in it, a thorough inspection of the remaining three tyres for embedded debris, bulges, or age-related hardening is essential, and replacement of all four should be budgeted for if any further perishing is visible, particularly on a vehicle of this age where the rubber compounds will continue to degrade regardless of tread depth. Beyond the tyres, the test drive should focus on the symptoms typically associated with low-mileage, intermittently-used vehicles. Listen for any clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest perished anti-roll bar bushes or top mounts, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering response that could indicate seized track rod ends or a dry steering rack. Apply the brakes firmly from speed to check for any pulling to one side, judder through the pedal, or grinding noises that would imply seized callipers or corroded discs, both common on cars that see limited use. Finally, check that all warning lamps extinguish promptly on startup, that the cooling fan operates, and look for any signs of coolant or oil leaks beneath the engine, as seals and gaskets on a 17-year-old low-mileage car can deteriorate through age alone. The registration plate lamp bulb is a trivial fix, but the persistent nature of the plate deterioration advisories is worth noting and the plates themselves may need replacing to ensure ongoing compliance.