SL55 Vehicle inspection

[ArfanFarooq]

Hi all

I have my eye on a 2006 SL55 (35k miles). My question is whether anyone can advise a company or individual who will be able to provide me with a vehicle inspection (AMG specialist) for peace of mind prior to purchase.

Things I would like checked ; any previous accident damage, electrics, abc, roof ect. Access to STAR will be necessary.

Vehicle has been sorn past few years and last service was therefore 5 years ago which does somewhat concern me but vehicle has only travelled 2k in that time. Should this be a problem?

I would therefore like any inspection to also thoroughly check the engine to make sure all is working as it should ect.

Car located in SN11 so will need to be able to travel to this location.

Any advice, recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks all in advance.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

I'd recommend an inspection where they will let you get under the car too and have a look.

Regardless of what anyone else says you can make up your own mind on many things just by looking at the car and the underneath can be the most important part

 

[AW8]

Agree re underside inspection.

I have inspected BMW's for members on another board before & allowed trusted friends & members to kindly do same for me if geography/time an issue.

Suggestions.....If nobody here suitable steps forward maybe call some reputable independents closer to the seller...(outside chance that asking someone to else to view could result in the person inspecting making a cheeky offer themselves).

A proper professional inspection wont be cheap. You could ask seller to stick it up for an MOT test at a station of your choice & ask testing station to give you their verdict for cost of a decent drink.

Really difficult to give prescriptive advice.........So often viewings inspections & deals only come together with the right people in place & the stars aligning in favour. Good communication is obviously key.

Good luck

 

[Petrol Pete]

You could join the Official Mercedes Benz owners club. This service is offered to members (at a cost) but not sure if any of their official inspectors are working during lock down.

 

[SL300-24]

You could join the Official Mercedes Benz owners club. This service is offered to members (at a cost) but not sure if any of their official inspectors are working during lock down.

No we don't do this. our valuations are for agreed value insurance only

 

[Petrol Pete]

No we don't do this. our valuations are for agreed value insurance only

I didn't realise that. so who could he turn to, or who could any of us turn to for an inspection ?

 

[ArfanFarooq]

Hi all

Many thanks for all have have provided a response, and thanks to pmcgsmurf and AW8 regarding underside as well as youre right my last inspection (done by AA) didnt cover this (mind you they didnt cover alooot of things hence why I am not using them again).

My "main" concern is someone who can check over the m113k engine as I know these engines like regular oil services to keep them healthy and the one for sale was last done 5 years ago. Although the owner says its done 2k mikes since last service, 5 years still seems excessive for these engines to go without an oil change.

But what are members views?

Thanks

 

[SL300-24]

I didn't realise that. so who could he turn to, or who could any of us turn to for an inspection ?

A local specialist would probably do this for the OP

 

[C240Sport97]

Although the owner says its done 2k mikes since last service, 5 years still seems excessive for these engines to go without an oil change.

I think it shows the owner spent the bare minimum on looking after the car ...

 

[alabbasi]

I've owned my SL55 for about 6 years and 3000 miles. I suppose I should

 

[E55BOF]

The M113 engine, in all its variants, is one of the best and most reliable petrol engines Mercedes has ever made. They make old boots look like tissue paper...

There are plenty of things that can go expensively wrong on an R230, but the engine isn't one of them. At 35K miles, it's scarcely run in; provided it ran OK, I'd happily buy an M113k-engined car on 135K miles, and the reliability of the engine would be the least of my worries. Engine oil does 'wear out', but it's driving that does it, not age, and 2K miles is nothing.

 

[E55BOF]

Why was it Sorned for so long? Do you believe the reason given? I assume you're looking at a private sale and a sensible price, not a specialist dealer wanting an Armannaleg for it?

FWIW, if it runs OK, looks as a low-mileage car should (the interior in particular should be pristine), the MoT history supports the mileage, and an HPI check comes back clear, I'd take a chance and buy it, but I'm notoriously optimistic when it comes to buying used cars... I've never had a problem with an M113 engine, though, and I've had six of them.

 

[ArfanFarooq]

Thanks E55BOF

The car presents immaculately inside and out and genuinely is a 35k example. Has 5 stamps, MB service history bar 1 of the services.

Last serviced in 2015 used approx 2k miles until 2018 then sorn awaiting a sale. Has been for sale for quite some time and It is up for "an arm and a leg" lol.

I agree with you these engines are "bulletproof" but only IF regularly serviced and the lapse in servicing has me concerned but I really want this car! Hence I'd only be comfortable with the purchase if I can find someone to give it a thorough once over.

Nearest specialist I know is PCS but even they are 70 miles from him.

Incidentally, his much would you be willing to pay for an 06 black with silver leather sl55 with 35k. 3 owners? I understand anything is only worth what one wants to pay but would be interesting to see how values of sl55s are viewed atm.

 

[E55BOF]

I've no idea what it's worth now, but but the fact that it has been for sale for two years shows that it's not worth what the seller wants for it. I used to watch the prices of these until a couple of years ago (when I realised the SLK 55 was a much superior car for my purposes), and the ones that actually sold usually did so for about half the asking prices of the more optimistic specialists.

The problem with a low-mileage car like that is that the seller can usually afford to hang on until a buyer who will pay a high asking price comes along. It's a buyer's market at the moment, but if you're determined to have that particular car, you'll have to pay the price. I'd wait awhile; the way things are, it's not likely to sell any time soon.

Nice colour scheme; I don't care for black cars generally, but the silver leather will lift it nicely. My SLK is the same, and if it had been black inside as well as out I'd not have bought it.

You might find a specialist here: Mercedes specialists across the UK. Any decent MB specialist should be fine; the R230 is old tech these days, so there's nothing special about it in that respect.

Good luck.

 

[BlackC55]

I have two in the workshop at the moment and I bought one yesterday. If you need help just shout. You will need to come to me for a proper inspection.

 

[alabbasi]

Why mine is not driven is pretty simple, my car to garage door ratio is horrible. Once a car is a few rows in, I just don't want to spend an hour doing the shuffle before I can get going.

My CL65 did 6 miles between inspections last year I literally drove it from the inspection station and back on two occasions and that was the only time I drove it.

The SL55 had a few hundred miles. Neither will get oil changes on intervals less then 3000 miles. That's a waste of money.

 

[E55BOF]

You're not from the US branch of the Schlumpf family, are you? We all hate you, you lucky bastard...

 

[alabbasi]

I don't know who that is

 

[ArfanFarooq]

I have two in the workshop at the moment and I bought one yesterday. If you need help just shout. You will need to come to me for a proper inspection.

Thanks to all for the advice. How much did you pay for yours, spec ect.

 

[BlackC55]

That's private I'm afraid. Its very very good though.