Advice on this purchase

[Nemecys]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for a CLK with low miles, found one, took it for a drive, and it all seems in order, however there's a strange gap in the service history.

I've attatched an image of the information , mileage, year, service history, etc.

If anyone has some time to spare and advice to give please look it over and let me know your thoughts.

Does this car look suspicious?
Or possibly mistreated to the point it's risky to buy?

It seems to good to be true...

Thanks,
Reiss

 

[kam09]

Whether it's legit or not you would be crazy to spend over 10k on a 7 1/2 year old car especially it being a 4 pot 220 cdi engine.. If I was you I'd look elsewhere for that kind of money..

 

[oldguy57]

The car seems to be being offered by Mercland and whilst I have had no dealings with them the company has many cars advertised for sale on this forum. I doubt whether they would sell a dodgy vehicle. Obviously there can be many reasons for a gap in the service history and the usual checks may or may not reveal anything but I would expect Mercland to have done this already. Did you not ask Mercland for an explanation of the service history. Personally unless dealing with something exotic I dont mind paying a premium for a very low mileage car. Others will have a different view. Does the condition of the car match its mileage?

 

[Giantvanman]

Whether it's legit or not you would be crazy to spend over 10k on a 7 1/2 year old car especially it being a 4 pot 220 cdi engine.. If I was you I'd look elsewhere for that kind of money..

I wouldn't be so hasty making that judgement.

Mercland is well thought of by many on this forum being trustworthy and realistic with their prices. On the same site (the next ad actually) is a 2009 with circa 70,000 miles priced at £9,290 on a '09 and below it is another '08 also with 70k miles at £7.5k. These prices are set for a reason, I would imagine.

The car the OP is asking must be very special to be that price…I would consider it as almost new in terms of mileage and condition. The 'missing' service gaps would not be a concern to me on a vehicle with such low mileage.

So, OP, it is up to you; you only get what you pay for and the car you are asking about WILL be a cut above the others hence the price it is being offered at. I suggest you call and arrange a side by side comparison with the cheaper priced car(s).

 

[oldguy57]

Yes Giantvanmans common sense strikes again- do what he says.

 

[tanuie]

yes giantvanmans common sense strikes again- do what he says.

+1

 

[Nemecys]

Thank you all for your feedback,
It's given me a lot to think about, however my concern over the service history still looms.

I did ask but there seems to be missing information due to frequent licence plate changes in its past.

I have driven other CLKs and it does seem in good condition to match the price. However Kams comment on price and age has twisted my opinion slightly as I felt the car was good value.

Is this gap in service history too risky for some of you?

Thank you all for your time

 

[Steveml63]

Thank you all for your feedback,
It's given me a lot to think about, however my concern over the service history still looms.

I did ask but there seems to be missing information due to frequent licence plate changes in its past.

I have driven other CLKs and it does seem in good condition to match the price. However Kams comment on price and age has twisted my opinion slightly as I felt the car was good value.

Is this gap in service history too risky for some of you?

Thank you all for your time

Hi,
Number plate should be irrelevant - as dealers keep car details based on VIN number.
You need to get hold of the VIN number and get this checked against MB database at a friendly dealer.
On the face of it - it seems like the previous owner had it serviced annually to keep the warranty - rather than serviced on mileage.
After the warranty expired, they then did not service it annually - this is a concern because the fluid levels might not have been checked properly and the oil quality would be bad after 4 years and brake fluid takes on water, over time.
You also need to check manufacture date on tyres - these might still be originals and although not worn, will be well past their best - due to rubber cracking and degradation.
Exhausts don't like low mileage - they hold condensation inside and rot.
Cheers
Steve

 

[oldguy57]

I dont think it would worry me and presumably Mercland will be offering some form of warranty, but it sounds as though you have talked yourself out of buying it. If the seller was some general sh car dealer I also would be hesitant but you are dealing with Mercland. Remember also that value is very much a matter of opinion. However if your instincts tell you that this is not the right car remember there are shedloads of cars out there for sale and nomatter how rare a car is you will find others.

 

[Nemecys]

Thanks for that key information Steve, I wouldn't of thought about the exhaust.

I'm just worried about parting with a lot of money, and having such a gap in service history. Everyone seems to have confidence in mercland, which is encouraging.

I did call Mercedes and he said that they haven't seen it serviced when I gave them the plates he said he checked using using its vin

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Are you referring to the age blip with the history? It's had 5 services and it's not even done 25k miles!

I know people who only do about 2k miles a year and service their car every 10k meaning five years between servicing and their cars are fine.

 

[500E]

Quite expensive but really good miles. Car must be like new! I wouldn't worry too much as long as MOT's etc tally up. Check the MOT history.

Jay owns Mercland and he has a reputation for selling good cars. I would speak to him and read the reviews on this forum.

 

[ahok19]

I dont think it would worry me and presumably Mercland will be offering some form of warranty, but it sounds as though you have talked yourself out of buying it. If the seller was some general sh car dealer I also would be hesitant but you are dealing with Mercland. Remember also that value is very much a matter of opinion. However if your instincts tell you that this is not the right car remember there are shedloads of cars out there for sale and nomatter how rare a car is you will find others.

Agreed with you

 

[E55BOF]

I've looked at a couple of cars with such gaps - the reason in both cases was that they had been involved in accidents and were off the road for extended periods until the insurance was settled. There were similar gaps in their MoT histories. (One seller adjusted the price, the other told me to p**s off...).

Given their reputation, I'd expect Mercland both to have done an HPI check, which showed no such problem with this car, and to be happy to show you the results for your peace of mind if you intended to buy the car.

 

[NDFR]

Mercland are not in the business of selling rubbish or deceiving customers. If your only concern is the missing service stamp I would rest easy, Mercland go through their cars very thoroughly.

 

[MD5]

Whilst I have never met Jay, from what I know about him I would happily buy a car from him.

Perhaps you could contact the previous owner? As SPX says, low mileage cars aren't necessarily serviced every year. I have several cars and some are used more than others, one of them having only covered about 200 miles over the last couple of years, and hasn't been serviced in that time. It will get whatever it needs at the next service though, and don't forget, some cars only get serviced according to schedule with other recommendations ignored, so ultimately the car should speak for itself.

 

[tec]

The 4 year gap between servicing would not bother me on this car, as previously the car was only doing 2,000 miles/year.
The owner could have been working abroad or just had it locked in a garage as they had other cars, or due to bad health the owner could not drive it.

 

[E270 Owner]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for a CLK with low miles, found one, took it for a drive, and it all seems in order, however there's a strange gap in the service history.

I've attatched an image of the information , mileage, year, service history, etc.

If anyone has some time to spare and advice to give please look it over and let me know your thoughts.

Does this car look suspicious?
Or possibly mistreated to the point it's risky to buy?

It seems to good to be true...

Thanks,
Reiss

Because it didn't need servicing.

 

[Nemecys]

I really do appreciate all your comments and messages,
Your confidence in this car and company are relieving, its a large purchase and my first mercedes, would hate to have a bad experience.

I suppose i just need to perform some checks on the car in case anything has been overlooked, and review the documentation of the vehicle thorough and adjust the price accordingly based on risk.

Thank you all for your support and unbiased well written comments.

 

[johnsco]

Re. Mercland ... See my comments on this Forum in Link below.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/trader-testimonials/189554-thanks-mercland-car-great-service.html

I have now done over 11,000 miles in this car without any problems.
Cheers.
Johnsco.