C63 AMG Pre-Purchase Inspection

[bk777]

Hi,

I’m looking at picking up a c63 AMG (W204) in the coming weeks and months. It’s just a case of finding the right one when the time comes.

Whichever car I choose and no matter how good it looks I still want to get it checked over before purchase. I sense I’ll be buying privately, and I don’t really know what I’m looking for so I would like an expert to give the car a good inspection to determine if it’s worth the money.

I’ve seen companies like RAC and Click Mechanic, but they strike me as offering a generic service rather than as specialist one. I’m assuming there are things to look for on a c63 which are specific to that model and are important things to pick up on and I feel RAC may miss these points.

So, I’m just wondering if there are any nationwide specialists that would do a pre purchase inspection for me or whether I’d have to look locally to the area where I intend to buy the car from?

Cheers

 

[audiavant]

Are you after any type of warranty/guarantee?

 

[bk777]

Are you after any type of warranty/guarantee?

If that was available then great but mainly due to the fact that the vehicle is high spec I just wanted a Mercedes minded mechanic to inspect it from top to bottom and make sure it's in full working order. I don't want to have to drop all that money to find out that 3 months down the line £3000 worth of repairs and maintenance are needed that's all.

I just wondered if there were any nationwide inspection services like that available but not your typical generic RAC, AA inspections.

 

[AMGeed]

Have you got a Mercedes specialist (indy) locally?
If you have, ask if they can do a pre purchase inspection at short notice.
The difficulty may be getting the seller to agree to this.
What is in your favour is the number of C63's for sale. It's just finding a good one that's not so easy.
Good luck

 

[Skd884]

Hi,

I’m looking at picking up a c63 AMG (W204) in the coming weeks and months. It’s just a case of finding the right one when the time comes.

Whichever car I choose and no matter how good it looks I still want to get it checked over before purchase. I sense I’ll be buying privately, and I don’t really know what I’m looking for so I would like an expert to give the car a good inspection to determine if it’s worth the money.

I’ve seen companies like RAC and Click Mechanic, but they strike me as offering a generic service rather than as specialist one. I’m assuming there are things to look for on a c63 which are specific to that model and are important things to pick up on and I feel RAC may miss these points.

So, I’m just wondering if there are any nationwide specialists that would do a pre purchase inspection for me or whether I’d have to look locally to the area where I intend to buy the car from?

Cheers

Good decision there will never be a c63 to better the 204!

 

[Jobsworth]

These are specialist cars with particular foibles that a specialist will be aware of and will look for. You might get lucky with an AA or RAC guy who has a side interest in Benz and knows what to look for, but honestly, it’s doubtful. If it was a fiesta or a focus you’d be fine, but with a C63 I’d pay a specialist to inspect it or take pot luck. You can find local independents via here or from www.mercedesclub.org.uk. Pick one near to your potential purchase and go from there.

 

[Spider10]

Im only 30 mins from you and could give you a 2nd opinion if that helps

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

So, I’m just wondering if there are any nationwide specialists that would do a pre purchase inspection for me or whether I’d have to look locally to the area where I intend to buy the car from?

The main dealer network is the closest there is to a nationwide network of specialists.

As @Jobsworth suggests, your best route is to find a car first and then find a well respected independent Mercedes specialist in the area. If you can’t find one then try the local main dealerss.

Whichever specialist or dealer you use, they will likely ask that you take the car to them, firstly to be able to inspect the car on a ramp -!: secondly to reduce the time and therefore cost to you.

Personally o don’t think a general AA/RAC or general mechanic’s inspection will pick anything up other than obvious visible defects like worn tyres, worn brakes and damaged parts/body.

They will unlikely pick up on the things that you’re most concerned about and are most expensive to resolve, such as worn cam followers, worn variable valve timing plates, and invisible issues.

If you can’t find a specialist or main dealer to do the inspection, then take to an MOT centre of YOUR choice. They won’t pick up on engine issues either, but will offer some peace of mind.

 

[SL63Mark]

When I bought my SL55 in 2012, I had Terry from Wayne Gates MB Specialists in Harrow inspect it. Best money I ever spent, we saw a few dodgy ones, and I got to learn about the cars. The reason for an inspection was, I knew absolutely nothing about the cars at the time, and they are unusual and specialised in many ways.

Skip 10 years to 2022, when I was looking for an R231 SL63, I felt just about confident enough, after 10 years of SL55 ownership, to set out looking on my own, and sure enough I bought a good one.

When I was selling the '55, the purchaser bought an "expert" along who knew nothing about the SL55, and in the end I ended up telling him how things worked. The level of ignorance is astonishing. They find stuff wrong when it isn't, to justify their fee.

Anyhow, the moral of the story is

1. Non-MB specialist inspection - worse than useless,
2. MB specialist inspection - worth having, if you have no knowledge of the cars like me in 2012.

Best scenario, build up your knowledge and have a look yourself, but hard to do,

Oh and don't forget the history and paperwork, its not all about the physical inspection.