2003 211 E320CDi, Loss of Drive

[Smarties]

Hello fellow members. Just to pick your brains. I was attending a car auction today with my business partner (picking up car for his Wife). Now, I’m no fan of late Merc’s, (CLS aside) but there was a very attractive 211 series E320CDi Estate Auto, late 03 registered, 2 owners, 82000 miles, 7 stamps, last serviced 2000 miles ago, leather, sat nav etc going through. Anyhow, I felt myself reaching for my wallet; perhaps I was misguided in my opinion of ‘New’ Mercs.
Car fired up, ran lovely, no lights on dash, all the knobs and buttons seemed to work, car slowly made it’s way to the auction hall, and had been running for approx 4 minutes. But then disaster, just about to enter the auction hall and…..no drive!!
Much frantic waggling of gear stick ensued as the auctioneer and buyers watched and waited expectantly. After several attempts and high engine revs the car did eventually crawl, and I mean crawl into the hall. Needless to say, bidding was not that enthusiastic as the hammer went down, vehicle unsold. Once the car had left the hall and was back outside, foot down the car picked up and seemed to drive OK again.
So, in your collective opinion, what do you think the problem may have been?

 

[GordonTarling]

Car got nervous?

 

[corned]

I've seen a few sights at the auctions in my time.

In a similar vein to this thread, my favourite was a newish-at-the-time automatic 7-series BMW which went through the auctions backwards because reverse was the only gear which caused any movement. No sale, surprisingly!

In the case of our hero E320CDI in the OP though, I suspect a low ATF level, for whatever reason.