S500 - T (1999) - cat D right off - back in the market for sale... would you buy?

[hyperchimp]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post here.

I have been looking at a T(1999) W140 S500 LWB, which has only done 40000 miles! Turns out the car was stolen/recovered and is also deemed as a Category D right off in August 2009. However, looking at the pictures and also discussing the details, it does sound like a good find.

Nonetheless, I am not going to go further with it, unless i can validate what happened, since it is also a surprise to the current owner who claims to know nothing of its uncertain history etc! it was me who did some paid searches for the car with Experian and Also VOSA for the MOTs etc.

The mileage is partially validated, since MOTs for 2006,2007, 2008 are recorded and matched. However, 2009 is missing....

What's more spooky is that, the internet searches i have done, it turns out this car was owned by one of the members of this forum! if KLP92 is reading this, would you mind contacting me? - if you don't mind, I could really do with a chat.

Thanks,

 

[momomo]

I have PM'd Nav for you.

 

[312 Sprinter]

Cat D in itself doesn't tell you anything useful, other than that you need to figure out what happened to the car. It is purely a cost indicator; car value/repair cost.

It can end up with a cat D if someone knocked a corner off the car and did serious structural damage or it can be something as stupid as a load of vandal damage to lights and glass that in no way affects the structural integrity of the car.

 

[219]

A Category D write off can be for something quite minor .

It could be for as little as replacing the locks damaged during theft , since insurers put ridiculously low values on some cars to wriggle out of paying out .

 

[KLP 92]

The car was owned by my father from new. It was stolen and recovered, the damage was cosmetic but the engine had been overheaten as there was a slight top end knock due to the coolant level being empty when recovered. Oil was thick as sludge.

Unless the engine has received some attention stay away. There were bumper scuffs, and light scratches but that was all cosmetically.

I do have the service records available somewhere if you do go through and buy.

 

[steve333]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post here.

I have been looking at a T(1999) W140 S500 LWB, which has only done 40000 miles! Turns out the car was stolen/recovered and is also deemed as a Category D right off in August 2009. However, looking at the pictures and also discussing the details, it does sound like a good find.

Nonetheless, I am not going to go further with it, unless i can validate what happened, since it is also a surprise to the current owner who claims to know nothing of its uncertain history etc! it was me who did some paid searches for the car with Experian and Also VOSA for the MOTs etc.

The mileage is partially validated, since MOTs for 2006,2007, 2008 are recorded and matched. However, 2009 is missing....

What's more spooky is that, the internet searches i have done, it turns out this car was owned by one of the members of this forum! if KLP92 is reading this, would you mind contacting me? - if you don't mind, I could really do with a chat.

Hi & welcome to the forum,personally i would steer well clear based on the info you have & the added knowlege kindly provided by klp92 saying the car was stolen/recovered(probably been hammered by some halfwit).There are plenty of other good honest cars to choose from,so steer clear of this one

 

[Deleted member 37751]

There are more than enough of these cars about, without having to contemplate buying one with a murky past. If you fancy a punt, go to an auction. They have to tell you everything upfront with regards hpi and insurance write-offs.
The cars you are looking at buying go through the block at about £2k give or take.

 

[hyperchimp]

thank you so much guys! this is really super response...

Nav, thanks you so much for the information on this!.. it saddens me people are stupid to wreck a beautiful car like this.

Do you mind passing me the Service history etc? I am unable to PM you since i am a new member so please email me how i can get in touch. Iam contactible on [email protected]

I haven't been to view yet, but will do as soon as i get a little bit more information....

when was it found? was it quite recently?

Thanks again for all your help...

Cheers,

 

[The Boss]

The car was owned by my father from new. It was stolen and recovered, the damage was cosmetic but the engine had been overheaten as there was a slight top end knock due to the coolant level being empty when recovered. Oil was thick as sludge.

Unless the engine has received some attention stay away. There were bumper scuffs, and light scratches but that was all cosmetically.

I do have the service records available somewhere if you do go through and buy.

have you other cars been recovered Nav? im certain u had an incident regarding 2 cars? hope all is well anyway

 

[samlucy]

T8 SFP purchased

I am new to the forum and membership. I have read all the postings about this car going back over a year. I went to see the car today and bought it. I know I have taken a bit of a gamble but it really is in lovely condition and a credit to the original owner. I checked as much as I could and the coolant seemed clear and no sign of oil; the oil had been changed and there was no sign of water residue.I drove it home and over the couple of hundred miles it performed perfectly. Absolutely superb.
I have owned three of these W140 cars and this seems the nicest....so far! Having also owned a 2002 S Class (600) I greatly favour this model. It has gone to a good home!
I do hope that KLP 92 will get in touch. I would really like to build a proper file on the car and the previous service history would be much appreciated. Hugh

 

[BlackC55]

I have worked on this car and I used it to go to a mates wedding. It was a real beauty to drive and work on back then.

 

[jaymanek]

that car was his dads pride, enjoy it.

 

[samlucy]

Car purchased

The car was owned by my father from new. It was stolen and recovered, the damage was cosmetic but the engine had been overheaten as there was a slight top end knock due to the coolant level being empty when recovered. Oil was thick as sludge.

Unless the engine has received some attention stay away. There were bumper scuffs, and light scratches but that was all cosmetically.

I do have the service records available somewhere if you do go through and buy.

I have bought your car on Tuesday. Drives superbly. Any chance of contact....I would really like to open a file if you have the previous service records. Thanks, Hugh

 

[Merco]

Gazumped!

 

[samlucy]

When I bought the car the owner did not tell me of any other interest and he just accepted the price I offered. Sorry if you had an offer accepted.

 

[hyperchimp]

just out of interest, How much did you pay?

 

[jdrrco]

I have bought your car on Tuesday. Drives superbly. Any chance of contact....I would really like to open a file if you have the previous service records. Thanks, Hugh

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum!

 

[E CLASS]

How has the S500 been since you bought it?

Everything working etc...

Any niggles?

 

[samlucy]

Everything working perfectly....so far it is an excellent purchase and drives superbly.

 

[nullogik]

Zombie thread revival!

Its back up for sale on Ebay

MERCEDES S500L, March 1999, Very low mileage, outstanding condition. | eBay