Why do people skimp on the basics?
 

This is the MOT history of a £49k Dec 2009 Merecdes CLS. You see so many records similar to this for cars that cost £40k+ when new.

Date tested 24 August 2018 Pass
Mileage 82,920 miles
MOT test number 9899 6332 1989
Test location
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Expiry date 1 September 2019


Date tested 23 August 2018 Fail
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Mileage 82,919 miles
MOT test number 4229 1730 2653
Test location
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Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))
• Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))
• Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

What are defects?


The MOT test changed on 20 May 2018

Defects are now categorised according to their severity – dangerous, major, and minor. Find out more

Date tested 18 August 2017 Pass
Mileage 70,718 miles
MOT test number 2555 0058 8327
Test location
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Expiry date 1 September 2018
Advisory notice item(s)

• Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
• Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
• Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

What are advisories?

Date tested 2 September 2016 Pass
Mileage 57,217 miles
MOT test number 1926 6434 0984
Test location
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Expiry date 1 September 2017


Date tested 28 July 2015 Pass
Mileage 42,219 miles
MOT test number 3353 8096 0607
Test location
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Expiry date 13 August 2016
Advisory notice item(s)

• rear tyres worn more inner edge and 3mm tread depth
• osf and nsf tyres worn more inner edge
• Brake pad(s) wearing thin fronts (3.5.1g)

Date tested 28 July 2015 Pass
Mileage 42,219 miles
MOT test number 3353 8096 0607
Test location
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Expiry date 13 August 2016
Advisory notice item(s)

• rear tyres worn more inner edge and 3mm tread depth
• osf and nsf tyres worn more inner edge
• Brake pad(s) wearing thin fronts (3.5.1g)

Date tested 14 August 2014 Pass
Mileage 28,186 miles
MOT test number 5456 0612 4285
Test location
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Expiry date 13 August 2015


Date tested 14 August 2014 Fail
Mileage 28,186 miles
MOT test number 8559 4692 4262
Test location
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Reason(s) for failure

• Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
• Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
• Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Date tested 14 August 2014 Fail
Mileage 28,186 miles
MOT test number 8067 0672 4297
Test location
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Reason(s) for failure

• Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
• Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
• Nearside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)
• Offside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Date tested 13 August 2013 Pass
Mileage 13,660 miles
MOT test number 9473 4562 3292
Test location
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Expiry date 12 August 2014
Advisory notice item(s)

• Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
• Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

tyres worn close to legal limit... still legal.
brake pads low, still working
headlight beam low, driver may not notice
tyres worn inner edge, driver sees only out edge
tyres incorrect size, would drive know this?

often see things on mot history that I'd expect the driver to have fixed, bulbs not working being one

The MOT and warranty service could be the only time the car is looked at

macafee2

Seen worse than that. Bald tyres, blown bulbs. Seriously you would think a quick walk round the car might not be a bad idea before taking it in. I tend to have my local chappie have a quick shufty for £30 before it goes in. Must agree though. for some the only time every year it is looked at properly.

I get all that, but if I spent £40k+ on a car (or anything else for that matter), I would want to take pride in knowing that it was in tip-top condition at all times.

I would be booking it in with an expert for a couple of hours every year just to make sure that nothing required attention.

When having tyres fitted was chatting to the tyre shop owner and he said it always seems to be the owners of expensive near new German cars who complain most about the costs of large size premium tyres.

Quite correct MSS but not all car owners cherish their car as most do on this forum. Many just see it as a way to get from A to B with little thought as to things like maintenance. Of course its a very sad state of affairs, particularly if you have paid out big money but that's how it is. I keep telling this to my son with little result!

Perhaps they think that once they have paid out big money for a car that’s where their expenses should stop.

Seen this with a neighbour who bought a 5 series BMW and expected the service costs to be dirt cheap.

Try putting the reg no of some of the government service vehicles into the MOT checker and you often see advisories coming up year after year.:eek: That wouldn't have happened in my days of transport management. It had to be perfect before you booked the test or your reputation was shot to pieces!!! I remember being pulled into a roadside check by the police for a vehicle inspectorate check and the MOT man looked at the name on the truck and said "I guess that I'll be wasting my time on this one then!" After a cursory tap of the wheel nuts and a squat by the front and rear, he waved me on!:shrug:

He did - the MoT station, and each time, he has had all faults corrected. However, I would be surprised if this car has a full MB service history - they generally warn you about the slightest wear, long before it becomes an MoT issue or advisory. You take an expensive risk, buying a Merc without a full history, backed up by annotated workshop documentation and receipts. It costs to keep MB dealer service history maintained, but at least you can give any future prospective buyer peace of mind.

It isn't a 49k car. It may have cost that once, it may be a banger to the owner now, it may even have been a run about to the owner then.

They have now fallen into the chav status symbol category now, after passing through the keeping up with the Jones's status symbol lease or company car. Each have their own reasons for not getting their hands dirty.

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