2015 Mercedes-Benz E 2.1L Diesel · YA65 OLX

The defining mechanical story of this E-Class centres on two serious dangerous failures recorded within the MOT records, both of which warrant careful scrutiny from any prospective buyer. On 14 December 2022 the vehicle was presented with a fractured nearside rear inner road wheel and a fractured offside rear road wheel, items categorised as dangerous defects and immediate grounds for test refusal; the same test also recorded a major fault for a supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicating a fault, meaning the airbags or seatbelt pretensioner system flagged an electronic error. Notably, the vehicle passed just two days later on 16 December 2022 with no defects recorded, suggesting replacement wheels and rectification of the SRS issue between tests. An earlier dangerous failure on 17 December 2019 cited both rear tyres falling below the legal 1.6 mm tread depth, again categorised as dangerous. Beyond these serious items, the record also contains an advisory for rear brake pads wearing thin in 2018, a nearside front brake pad advisory in 2019, and a minor nearside rear tyre cut advisory in 2020. The most recent test dated 16 December 2022 passed cleanly, but the cumulative history of dangerous wheel and tyre defects alongside the SRS fault presents a pattern that should not be dismissed lightly. Against an age of roughly 11 years, the recorded mileage of 104,936 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,540 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this vintage. The MOT record shows testing activity in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with no apparent multi-year gaps that would suggest extended periods off the road. This continuity of testing combined with average mileage implies the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up, which is mechanically significant because consistent use tends to keep seals, brakes, and suspension components working as intended, whereas standing periods often accelerate corrosion of underbody components and deterioration of braking surfaces. That said, the mileage is sufficient for consumable wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, anti-roll bar links, and drivetrain mounts to be reasonably advanced at this stage, even if no such items have yet surfaced as advisories in the recorded tests. Given the specific defects flagged, a test drive should pay particular attention to the supplementary restraint system. Confirm that the airbag or SRS warning lamp extinguishes promptly after ignition and does not remain illuminated, and if possible verify that no warning messages appear on the instrument cluster. A persistent or intermittent SRS lamp could indicate a faulty seatbelt pretensioner, crash sensor, or wiring fault under the front seats, and rectification costs on Mercedes-Benz systems can be considerable. With respect to the wheels, inspect all four road wheels closely for cracks, impact damage, or signs of repair, particularly the rear wheels where the fractures were recorded, and check the spare wheel if accessible. Run the vehicle over uneven surfaces and listen for any clonking or vibration that might suggest a compromised wheel, bearing, or hub assembly. The brake-related advisories, while not failures, point to consumable wear consistent with the mileage and should be checked directly. With the wheels removed or by visual inspection through the spokes, measure the rear brake pad friction material thickness and the brake disc wear ridge at the outer edge; a deep lip on the disc indicates it may be approaching its minimum thickness and require replacement alongside the pads. On the road, test for brake pedal firmness, any pulling to one side under heavy braking which could indicate a binding caliper, and any vibration through the pedal or steering wheel suggesting disc runout or warping particularly relevant given the rear end has carried the majority of flagged defects. Finally, inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking and check the production date stamps, as the 2019 dangerous failure for tread depth below 1.6 mm suggests tyres may have been run close to or beyond their serviceable life at that point; rubber older than six years becomes hard and loses grip regardless of remaining tread. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift would be strongly advisable to confirm the underbody, suspension components, and brake hydraulic lines are free from corrosion and leakage at this mileage and age.