Are you in the market for a nice car? Consider the benefits of buying a used Mercedes Benz. Why driving a boring old car model when you can get an upscale, trustworthy Mercedes Benz in the same price range. Seriously. For the price of a new Kia Optima, Accura, Ford Fusion, or Chevy Malibu, you can get a low mileage certified Mercedes Benz. However, there are a few things to consider before buying a used Benz.
Buying a used Mercedes Benz means that you have let someone else take that big devaluation hit of driving a new car off the lot. So, comparing the examples, the value of your brand-new car would already fall below that of the certified used Benz as soon as you start driving. If you went with the Mercedes Benz, you have got minimum depreciation and you will have fine German engineering in a high-quality car.
Purchasing a used Mercedes Benz comes with its own pitfalls. But you can avoid them by investing your time and effort before you spend your hard-earned money. Here are a few things to consider before buying a used Benz. However, there are both pros and cons of owning a Mercedes Benz. Also, we will discuss a few suggestions for Mercedes models that have a record for reliability and performance.
Benefits of Purchasing a Used Mercedes Benz
You may have minor doubts about the wisdom of purchasing an old used Mercedes, whether it is 1 year, 5 years, 10, or 15 years. So, why do purchasers seek out used Mercedes Benz so daily?
The motto of Mercedes Benz, “The best or nothing”, explains the appeal of this car. Though not trouble-free, the models it manufactures have a reputation of classic looks, longevity, cutting-edge technology, sophisticated style, and best performance. A new car model is out of the price range for most of the drivers.
But, if you are looking for the best used Mercedes model to buy, then you must avoid new car sticker shock. As a luxury car with several safety features, it depreciates less rapidly compared to an economy car. You get the advantages of a high-end car without paying a huge amount of money.
- Quality craftsmanship
- Advanced features that are not found in most of the used cars
- Low price because of higher depreciation
- Luxurious style and feel
- Comfortable ride
- Reputation for safety
Are there any drawbacks to owning a used Mercedes?
No doubt, a used Mercedes does not guarantee you a perfect ride for several years. It is said that when you buy a used Mercedes Benz, you are taking a chance.
In addition, Mercedes models are luxury cars and can have high maintenance and renovation costs. With all its unique features and technology, there are several things that can go wrong. You will not get a warranty if you buy a used car from an individual. Mercedes models that are sold in the U.S. use high-grade gasoline, so your fuel prices might be a tad higher than other cars.
Are you thinking about whether it is still worth spending money in a used Mercedes Benz? Many satisfied owners think so.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Used Benz
The worst thing you can do is purchase the first model you are offered as it is cheap. If you want a car that is in good shape and can be driven for several years, then the first important thing you need to do is research.
- Check online reviews, forums, and ratings- Before you buy an old Mercedes Benz, check online for recommendations. Read forums to find out what other drivers have said about certain models. You can ask questions in the forums also. Some of the good online resources are:
- MBWorld.org
- BenzWorld.org
- Check the history of the vehicle- If you are looking for a specific vehicle, purchase a car history report. This can be done easily if you find a potential vehicle online and you are not in front of the salesperson. If it is not listed in the ad, contact them, and get the VIN before you go and have a look at it. A vehicle history search can be done below $10 using any of the online services. If you are purchasing from a reputable dealer, they must provide you this report during the sales procedure. But it is nice to know the details going on. The report includes:
- Title history and number of owners
- Maintenance history
- Mileage history
- Accident history if any
- If the car was rental or a lease
- Do a system scan of the car- Another significant piece of data comes from a full system scan of the Mercedes you are looking at. You want to check the mistake codes that come up. You must seek help from a professional mechanic who can inspect your vehicle in the best way. If you want to do it yourself, you can do it if the seller allows you to do it. You will access a scanner. Two popular brands are iCarsoft MB II and Launch Creader VII. With permission from the seller, plug the scanner into the OBD II port. The scanner will check the car’s systems as well as the car units. It will tell you if there are malfunctions, faults, or other problems.
- Most importantly, get it checked before you purchase by an experienced Mercedes mechanic- Before you make a final offer, get a pre-sale inspection. This is one of the most important things to consider before buying a used Benz. As a buyer, you must choose the mechanic who will do the inspection. This is not a job that you can leave to the seller. This means you pay for the inspection and not for the seller. Consider this as an investment for the car’s durability and quality. You will pay thousands of dollars for your used Mercedes Benz. The price of a pre-purchase inspection is a small expense in comparison.
Look for an independent mechanic who has experience with European cars, and more specifically, the Mercedes Benz line. Ask him to provide a list of problems that need to be fixed now or in the coming future, with a quote for the price of each item.
If the seller hesitates at allowing you to take the vehicle for an inspection, you have got an issue. Are they hiding something from you? Pre-purchase inspections are a must. Any reputable dealer will be expecting this. If you find that the seller is resisting an inspection, ask the reason. In some cases, mainly if handling private sellers, they may be worried about the vehicle being stolen or damaged and these are legitimate concerns. You can accompany them to the shop and wait while it is inspected. Or have them meet you at the workshop with the car. You must tell them that you will be sharing the report soon with them.
When you get the mechanic’s summary, do not be surprised to find a list of problems. You must keep in mind that you are not purchasing a new car, and everything will not be perfect. You must expect some problems with the engine or on the exterior of the car.
So, next time when you plan to buy a used Mercedes Benz, keep these things in mind. You will make the right choice.