Faults:

I bought the car when it was 21 years old in 2020.

So I basically restored it mechanically and addressed all the MOT issues. Bodywork is all original and in VGC.

Metal brake pipes front to rear both sides, with new brake fluid.

Front suspension bushes and drop links.

Wheel bearings front both sides.

Full automatic transmission service inc conductor plate, filter, gearbox sump gasket and ATF. It's the 5 speed auto, smooth as silk.

Gave it a full B service and full safety inspection.

Oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, spark plugs x4.

In my ownership I needed to replace a rubber gasket in the fuel tank sender unit and changed 2 bolts on the exhaust downpipe... the heater blower motor is starting to slow down but still works.

The car has never let me down and is a daily driver.

General Comments:

The car drives great and is solid, never been welded... it's a simple car to maintain and good for DIY services.

Disc brakes front and rear.

Folding electric door mirrors & heated from the factory.

Door courtesy lights again factory fitted.

Illuminated vanity mirrors in sunvisors.

Air conditioning.

4x electric windows.

Remote central locking with 2 keys.

4 airbags.

ABS, PAS, EBC, traction control.

Steel wheels with Mercedes wheel covers.

Changed the interior from a basic cloth to a cloth check sports interior.

Does 27 mpg around town and 35 mpg on a long run.

I love my old Mercedes w202.

Faults:

Nothing major at all. Not one major garage visit

* A bit of graunching coming from the front corner.

* Kickdown never really worked properly (I picked it very cheap), but the transmission is fine otherwise. No bumps and/or clunks. On the rare occasion that I need a bit of extra oomph, I just shift it manually. Both the car and I are content with this situation.

* All the other bits and mechanical gubbins are there and are functioning as the engineers intended, as they will probably will be for quite some time.

* It's not a fast car by any stretch, but perfectly adequate. Hummed along happily at 160 km/h when a French ferry strike necessitated covering the ground quick between Roscoff and Le Havre, loaded with four adults and all their cheese and wine.

* Rust is a thing. Gotta keep an eye on it... all the old faves - arches, sills, stone chips etc, This is my second W202; the first fell to wire worm in the end.

* Super light power steering lacks the "feel" that motoring journalists tell us that we need, but it just makes it so easy to zip around and park. Whenever I get into my girlfriend's Puma, it feels like I'm wrestling with a Morris Oxford.

This car's USP is comfort, it has neither the desire nor ability to do the Nurburgring. I'm OK with that.

So I've got a 4 door five seater with four airbags, ABS, traction control (which you can't turn off, which is fine because I don't want to do that) cruise, A/C, electric everything and lots of good wood. It as solid as the proverbial and as comfortable as a bed. 28/35 MPG (imperial).

If it wasn't for the booted Opel Kadett rear end, it would look like a 4/5th scale W123.

And that's a good thing!

General Comments:

A relaxing, comfortable cruiser, that 16 years later still makes you look like you mean business.

Faults:

Lower ball joints.

Key.

Air flow meter.

Brake switch.

General Comments:

Very comfortable and reliable.

Auto box is super smooth.

Surprised by the economy, considering it's a 2 litre automatic.

Seats are hard wearing.

Handles like a dream.

Take your time when buying one. Research on the Internet for known faults, watch the oil level in the auto gearbox and engine. Most stuff you can fix yourself.