GLC structural corrosion?

[StewartonWolf]

I wonder if anyone has heard of issues with structural corrosion on a GLC (2016 250d) (rear suspension/subframe). I agreed and entered into a contract to purchase a GLC from a main dealership (significant deposit paid), however, they telephoned me to say that they needed to cancel the agreement as they could not get the vehicle up to the required standards to retail, and they were returning it back into group stock. They said that they had discovered significant corrosion, I asked if they had a video of it, or any evidence, but they were evasive. I would like to think that they are being honest with me, but I have Googled GLC rust/corrosion and can't really find anything that is consistent with the dealership's explanation. Is this a common problem or am i being taken for a ride as they failed to properly appraise the vehicle before putting it up for sale? Any thoughts or responses are gratefully received.

 

[DSM10000]

Be grateful that they cancelled the sale

 

[StewartonWolf]

Be grateful that they cancelled the sale

Because there are known issues, or do you not rate the GLC?

 

[ALFAitalia]

.....or they had a better offer/deal/part exchange with another customer.....not that that is something I would ever have done when selling cars...EVER......of course!!

 

[KennyN]

So they have discovered "Significant Corrosion" but are returning it to "group stock" , seems a bit suspect to me , and i am sure that MB head office would be interested in that situation - a knowingly faulty vehicle being put back into the system.

Do an MOT check with the registration and see if it mentions any sign of it at the last MOT , significant corrosion will take more than 12m to appear.

Sounds like the vehicle has been double sold and you have lost out , possibly to someone who has purchased it with a higher mark-up for the dealer.

K

 

[StewartonWolf]

So they have discovered "Significant Corrosion" but are returning it to "group stock" , seems a bit suspect to me , and i am sure that MB head office would be interested in that situation - a knowingly faulty vehicle being put back into the system.

Do an MOT check with the registration and see if it mentions any sign of it at the last MOT , significant corrosion will take more than 12m to appear.

Sounds like the vehicle has been double sold and you have lost out , possibly to someone who has purchased it with a higher mark-up for the dealer.

K

Nothing on the MOTs to indicate corrosion/rust being an issue.

 

[KennyN]

Nothing on the MOTs to indicate corrosion/rust being an issue.

There you go then , more BS from the main dealer.

The search continues.

K

 

[DSM10000]

Because there are known issues, or do you not rate the GLC?

Why would they lie?

Significant corrosion to require replacement subframes on 2014 C and E Class etc is not uncommon and I would imagine the subframe construction methods on the GLC are not much different as it is based on the way C Class platform

 

[DSM10000]

There you go then , more BS from the main dealer.

The search continues.

K

C and E Class vehicles have had rotton Subframes replaced that have not always been picked up on MOT

 

[StewartonWolf]

Why would they lie?

Significant corrosion to require replacement subframes on 2014 C and E Class etc is not uncommon and I would imagine the subframe construction methods on the GLC are not much different as it is based on the way C Class platform

I would have imagined that if there was a known issue with the GLC then it would have shown up on search engines/Honest John etc. I couldn't find anything of note, that is why I have asked the question. My gut feeling is that the gearbox service/other maintenance required has not been adequately factored into the sale price agreed.

 

[KennyN]

C and E Class vehicles have had rotton Subframes replaced that have not always been picked up on MOT

Not many on a 2016 vehicle , i`ll wager.

K

 

[rf065]

I would have imagined that if there was a known issue with the GLC then it would have shown up on search engines/Honest John etc. I couldn't find anything of note, that is why I have asked the question.

Problem is they rust from the inside out, by the time you discover the corrosion, it is too late to save and the subframe needs replaced. Mercedes have a known problem with this.

 

[StewartonWolf]

Not many on a 2016 vehicle , i`ll wager.

K

That was my thought, issues like that are quickly picked up and sorted. I really would mind (I would be grumpy) if they said, hey we have made a mess of this but the cost of the work to get the car back to a reasonable condition is beyond the deal we have agreed (and taken a 50% deposit for). Can we discuss? The other thing is that the dealership group in question has always sent me videos of the work done on my C/E Classes, but didn't video the underside of the car, nor were they prepared to.

 

[Bortig]

Because there are known issues, or do you not rate the GLC?

The corrosion would be my guess

 

[KennyN]

The other thing is that the dealership group in question has always sent me videos of the work done on my C/E Classes, but didn't video the underside of the car, nor were they prepared to.

That speaks for itself , time to move on and resume the search.

Would still drop an e-mail to MB head office regarding them putting a known sub-standard vehicle (by their own omission) back out for resale , and tell the supplying dealer you are doing so.

Probably wont do naff all but at least it will get their sphincters twitching for a while , they will deny it "obviously" as there is no written evidence - hence the phone call and not an e-mail to cancel the deal.

K

 

[BTB 500]

So they have discovered "Significant Corrosion" but are returning it to "group stock" , seems a bit suspect to me , and i am sure that MB head office would be interested in that situation - a knowingly faulty vehicle being put back into the system.

Sounds to me like they are just internally 'rejecting' the vehicle as not fit for sale ... I don't think it implies it's going to be retailed like that. Might get fixed at some point and released for sale again, or could go out to auction as is.

 

[rf065]

The other thing is that the dealership group in question has always sent me videos of the work done on my C/E Classes, but didn't video the underside of the car, nor were they prepared to.

The corrosion starts inside the subframe, a video from underneath would not show anything.

 

[BTB 500]

The other thing is that the dealership group in question has always sent me videos of the work done on my C/E Classes, but didn't video the underside of the car, nor were they prepared to.

The difference is that this is isn't your car though.

Not saying the corrosion story is definitely true, but I can see why they wouldn't want to send you video of a car they're not now going to sell you.

 

[KennyN]

Sounds to me like they are just internally 'rejecting' the vehicle as not fit for sale ...

So much for their multi point vehicle inspections , prior to being put up for sale.

Still sounds uber suspect to me.

K

 

[BTB 500]

So much for their multi point vehicle inspections , prior to being put up for sale.

Still sounds uber suspect to me.

K

I've bought two Approved Used that required work before handover, so I agree they don't always fully prep cars before sale. Did the OP see this car at the dealership before paying a deposit though? If not and it was effectively sold direct from group stock the dealer might not even have laid eyes on it by that point.