The Mercedes badge is brimming with prestige and history, and like many other car-nuts, you may have a long-running dream of having your own merc sitting in the driveway, ready to take for a spin whenever you want. However, if you’re finally ready to buy a used Mercedes, you need to do everything possible to avoid rushing into a money trap. Here are three things you must do before buying a used Mercedes.
Arrange a Pre-Purchase Inspection
It’s very important to arrange a pre-purchase inspection for any used Mercedes that you’re serious about buying. Getting this done at a Mercedes-Benz servicing auto shop can be a little more expensive, but for the extra peace of mind, it can be money well-spent. Wherever you get it done, ask the auto repair shop for quotes on any of the items that need work. Any honest dealer will have no issue taking the car in for a thorough inspection. On the other hand you can’t expect a used Mercedes with a lot of miles to be completely flawless. So set some money aside for repairs from a Prestige Car Specialist, and prioritise the most important issues first.
Scan the Car for Fault Codes
The next thing you should arrange for when buying a used Mercedes is a complete system scan of the car. The scanners needed for this, such as the iCarsoft MB II, can be pricey, and hard to acquire otherwise. However, if you don’t want to wind up getting burned by your purchase, this is an essential step to take. Get a hold of a scanner that’s compatible with the model you’ve got your eye on, and ask the seller’s permission to plug it into the car. Again, like with the pre-purchase inspection, if the seller is hesitant to let you do this, it’s a pretty clear sign that you could be walking into a trap. After making sure you know how to operate the thing, plug the scanner in and use it to analyse all of the control units. This will open your eyes to any major issues or malfunctions that you’d be completely blind to otherwise.
Get a Full Vehicle History Report
That’s right, now you have to spend even more money before you can take your used Mercedes for a spin. You might be tempted to wave away the precaution of running a vehicle history check, but if you’re planning to spend thousands on this car, there’s no point saving a few pennies! A comprehensive car history report will tell you if the car has been in any accidents, how many previous owners it’s had, and also maintenance records depending on the car and the report provider. It can also tell you if it was a manufacturer buyback, which you want to avoid at all costs! Odds are, you won’t see a single black mark, but as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
