Everybody has a dream car and for some, it is a brand-new Mercedes Benz. It is not surprising to see it as one of the most renowned and sought-after brands in the world of automotive. Are you looking for a nice car? Consider the benefits of buying a used Mercedes Benz. What is the need of buying a boring car when you can get a chic, reliable Mercedes Benz at the same price? Yes, you read it right. For the same price as a new Accura, Chevy Malibu, Kia Optima, and Ford Fusion, you can get a low mileage certified used Mercedes-Benz. But, before buying making the final choice, there are a few things to keep in mind before buying a used Benz.
Buying a used Mercedes Benz means that you have allowed someone else to take that huge reduction hit of driving a new car among all. So, comparing the above examples, your new car’s value would already fall compared to the certified used Mercedes Benz as soon as you drive it off the lot. If you chose Mercedes Benz, you would have got minimal depreciation and you have fine German engineering in a quality car.
There are both pros and cons of owning a Benz car, especially a used one. But you can avoid the cons by investing time and effort before you invest your hard-earned money.
Advantages of Buying a Used Mercedes Benz
You may have nagging doubts regarding the wisdom of buying an older used Mercedes Benz car, whether it is 1 year old, 5 years, 10, or even 15 years. You might be thinking then why do buyers seek used Mercedes Benz so regularly?
The motto of Mercedes Benz, “The best or nothing”, shows the appeal of this car. Though not trouble-free, the models it produces have a reputation for longevity, sophisticated styling, classic looks, great performance, and cutting-edge technology. A new model is out of the cost range for most of the drivers.
However, when you buy an old Mercedes Benz, you avoid new-car sticker shock. As a luxury car with integrated safety features, the cost lessens rapidly compared to other passenger cars. You get the benefits of a high-end car without paying a large amount of money. Here are some of the benefits of purchasing a used Mercedes Benz:
- A record of the best craftsmanship
- Advanced features not found in most of the used cars
- Comfortable ride
- Lower price because of higher depreciation
- The luxurious feel and look
- Reputation for safety
Are there any drawbacks to buying a used Mercedes Benz?
No, a used Mercedes Benz does not guarantee you a perfect ride for several years. When you purchase a used car, you are taking a chance. In addition, Mercedes models are luxury cars and need high maintenance and repair costs. With all its advanced technology and features, there are more things that can go wrong. If you buy a car from an individual, you will not get a warranty. Mercedes cars sold in the U.S. use premium grade gasoline, so your fuel expenses might go a little higher than others. Is it worth investing in a used Mercedes? Several satisfied owners certainly think so.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a Used Benz
The worst thing you can do is purchase the first model you are offered because it is dirt cheap. If you want a car you are in good shape and give you several years of happy driving, you must do your research.
Do your due diligence, and follow these steps:
- Check online reviews, forums, and ratings
- Check the specific car’s history
- Make sure you do a system scan of the vehicle
Most significantly, before you purchase, get it checked by an experienced Mercedes mechanic.
Check online ratings, reviews, and check forums
One of the significant things to keep in mind before buying a used Benz is checking online for recommendations and reviews. Read the forums to see what other drivers have to say about specific models. You must ask questions in the forums. Some of the good online resources to start may be:
- MBWorld.org- A form full of Mercedes Benz owners
- BenzWorld.org- Another common forum
- Google- If you are looking at a specific year, make, or model, Google it. For instance, I Googled the 2015 C300. I typed the search term, “2015 Mercedes c300 reviews” and got a LOT of information.
Check the specific car’s history
If you have your eyes on a specific car, purchase a car history report. This is easily done if you find a potential car online and you are not in front of the salesperson, however. If it is not listed in the ad, call them, and get the VIN before you go and have a look at it. You can do a vehicle history search for below $10 using any of the online services available. If you are purchasing from a reputable dealer, they must provide you with this report during the sales procedure. But it is nice to already know the details.
The report includes a lot of helpful information, including:
- Title history and number of owners
- Accident history
- Maintenance history, in a few cases
- Mileage history
- Flood and salvage history
- If the vehicle was a rental or lease
- Damage to the frame
- If the vehicle was a manufacturer buyback
Check that the VIN number on the car which you are considering matches the one mentioned on the title. Ensure that history is for the car you want to purchase. The information that a Vehicle History offers is priceless for making the right decision. It can stop you from investing in the wrong car.
Do a system scan
Another one in the list of things to keep in mind before buying a used Benz is a whole system scan of the Mercedes Benz you are buying. You must check the fault codes that come up. You must contact a skilled mechanic to do this as part of the pre-car inspection.
If you are a DIY’er and want to do it yourself, you might be able to if the seller will permit it. You will gain access to a scanner. Two popular brands Launch Creader VIII & are iCarsoft MB II. With the permission of a seller, plug the scanner into the OBD II port. The scanner will check the systems of a car and control units. It will tell you if there are mistakes, malfunctions, and other problems.
Get an unbiased, pre-purchase inspection
Finally, you got one which you really like? Before you pay, get a pre-sale inspection. This is one of the important things to keep in mind before buying a used Benz. It is one of the cost-effective ways to avoid buying a used car with issues that will cost you money and time for the coming years.
As a buyer, you must choose a mechanic who does the review. This is not the job of a seller. This means you pay for the inspection, and not the seller. Consider this as an investment in the car’s durability and quality. You will be paying a huge amount of money behind your used Mercedes Benz. The cost of a pre-purchase inspection is a minor expense in comparison.
Popular Used Mercedes Benz Models
Most of the Mercedes Benz models are good but it does not mean that the engines are good. Certain engines in certain years were challenges and must be avoided. It will require some research to know which M112 V6 engine was reliable but M272 and M273 had timing chain issues and were used from 2004 to 2008.
Here are some car models that look great, run dependably, and are available at an affordable price.
2008 Mercedes-Benz eClass
According to the U.S. News, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a great investment. It is a four-door that has a space for five and comes under the sport-luxury class. It provides superior handling. The steering is responsive, and the car accelerates fast. It scores high in safety rankings. This car model gets high marks for its luxurious passenger and driver area. However, when it comes to the backseat arrangement, it gets low marks as it is cramped. And if you require plenty of cargo space, this is not the right car for you.
2009 Mercedes-Benz eClass
The 2009 Mercedes Benz E-Class is a 4 door, mid-size luxury sedan. It provides a lot of power, a big selling point for drivers who focus on performance. This model received high safety scores from the U.S. News. It has a sophisticated interior, enough space, and a comfortable space even in the rear. For instance, it has heated front seats and a dual-zone climate control feature. It has sufficient cargo space.
2015 GLK-Class
The 2015 GLK-Class is known for its dependability. Called as “competent and classy”, this line of compact SUVs has a simplified look. It will hold 5 passengers in total comfort. The mainly recommended one is the GLK250 Blue TEC diesel.
The SUV has a molded, upright look that offers excellent visibility. Drivers prefer this uninterrupted view of the road. The interior design is opulent but subdued.