2004 Mercedes E 5.4L Petrol · XG02 AMG

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift from clean passes to emerging mechanical wear. While the car moved through three consecutive tests between 2022 and 2025 without defects, the March 2026 test at 147,489 miles identified new issues. The presence of worn front lower arm inner bushes and corroded on both front brake pipes indicates that the vehicle is entering a phase requiring more preventative maintenance to counteract its age. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,700 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between June 2019 and April 2022, where only 1,049 miles were recorded over three years. However, usage has increased significantly recently, with 26,409 miles logged between April 2022 and March 2026. This recent surge in mileage likely explains the sudden wear of rubber-based suspension components and the degradation of brake lines noted in the most recent MOT report. A buyer should prioritize a thorough inspection of the braking system and suspension. The corrosion noted in March 2026 on the front brake pipes requires immediate assessment to determine if the degradation is surface or structural, as this risks future failure. Furthermore, the worn lower arm bushes will likely require replacement to maintain steering precision and prevent uneven tyre wear. Given the vehicle's age and the recent discovery of pipe corrosion, a check for underbody and chassis rust is essential to ensure the corrosion seen on the pipes is not indicative of broader structural decay.