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I have made the decision to take the necessary action and have a professional treat all four wheel arches. The rear tyres have been exhibiting a growing number of blisters and areas of rust, and I have just seen the front tyres beginning to display similar issues. They have provided an approximate estimate of £600.
Once the task is completed, how can the wheel arch edges be safeguarded from stone chips caused by tyres? (From my perspective, this is the root source of the early issues.)

An effective measure to avoid rust in wheel arches is to regularly clean them with a high-pressure water jet. Ensuring that the drain holes of your automobile are unobstructed can also aid in preventing internal corrosion.

Mercedes' design of the wheel arch lip return makes it very difficult to maintain that area in a flawless condition. I make an effort to thoroughly clean the wheel arches every time I wash the vehicle, but achieving optimal results would require removing the wheels each time, which I am not willing to do.

Once the repairs are done, it is advisable to apply a rust prevention coating, such as Lanoguard or a similar product. Avoid using traditional underseal, as it tends to dry hard and may develop chips, allowing water to seep in and cause rusting once again. These alternative rust protections are non-drying, meaning they cannot chip, ensuring continuous protection for the underlying bodywork. While some may need a yearly inspection, others do not. Perhaps the bodyshop can apply it after they have completed the repairs. It wouldn't hurt to inquire.

My tasks were completed in the previous year.
As a precautionary step, I have applied transparent waxoyl both on the outside and inside of the lip. I am uncertain about its effectiveness. It is essential to be superior to nothing, and only time will determine the outcome.

In my opinion, the usage of winter salt and grit is the underlying factor.

I would like to mention that the property I am now residing in has a driveway covered with gravel. As I leave the driveway, part of the gravel becomes trapped in the grooves of the tyre tread. Consequently, as I drive on the road, these gravel pieces are forcefully expelled and may sometimes come into contact with the edges of the wheel arch.

Acquire larger-sized gravel. A 20mm measurement in Romsey will suffice.

Leased real estate

There is an individual at the end of my street who, for unknown reasons, has chosen to use very little gravel, similar in size to sand grains, for his parking area. This kind of gravel, sometimes referred to as 'pea' gravel, is typically utilised for drainage purposes.

The situation becomes chaotic due to one's stinginess. Gravel is available at a low price of £8 a tonne, while higher quality gravel starts at £18 or more.

To reiterate, I reside in a leased home, hence I lack the ability to choose the size of the gravel.