Howdy
First I have to say that this thread BARELY saved me from making a costly mistake. I was "cashiers check in hand" close to getting a 2006 MB-350 with 52k miles.
This was a corporate car used by an exec. It was purchased and maintained at the MB dealer in Fremont, CA. Everything looked really clean, it ran like a top, was loaded to the hilt and the maint records that i got during the pre-purchase inspection looked complete. I setup the appointment in my name, paid for the inspection letting the dealer know i would base my purchase decision on their inspection. I asked very frank questions about everything and got responses that indicated all was good and all the issues worked on were minor and pretty typical.
My question to the group is whether the inspection should have let me know about this issue. Seems that at 52k, this is right on the cusp of the problem range.
I am fortunate that I am only out $165 instead of a $5000 repair bill. But still I am disappointed that my $165 only pointed out thin brake pads and a burned out headlight. I think they were loyal to their corporate customer by keeping this issue from me, the guy paying the inspection.

Thanks for any feedback.