The Plot Thickens...

[Deleted member 37751]

I've just spoken to Mercedes head office to verify the servicing schedules, because the car has Full Mercedes History.

I told them the mileage on the car and they came back and said that it's been a very long time since it's last service at Mercedes...

The question is; what to do? The bloke who I'm meant to be buying the car from comes across very genuine and I've spent at least a couple of hours on the phone to him at different intervals.

But this purchase seems to have had problems all the way, from having to arrange his plate to be transferred, to not being able to find the MOT to verify the mileage etc etc

And as I'm typing this out, it's starting to dawn on me what might be happening.

The annoying thing is that I've let a slightly older (but higher spec) S211 slip through my fingers because of this....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not read your other thread but the following...

But this purchase seems to have had problems all the way, from having to arrange his plate to be transferred, to not being able to find the MOT to verify the mileage etc etc

...has alarm bells ringing.

Could be genuine. But quite possibly not.

 

[grober]

Walk away!

 

[whitenemesis]

If it doesn't feel right, walk away ...

 

[bpsorrel]

I agree. Too many things make it feel dodgy. Walk away. There's plenty more out there.

 

[npuk]

I found head office dont always have correct / full service history info. Have you got the service history from the seller, who serviced it and when? If head office have no record of a service ring the main dealer who did it directly to check if they serviced the car.

 

[markjay]

If it doesn't feel right, walk away ...

I agree, in principal.


But... patchy service history by itself should only really be an issue with regards to resell value, given that you do not think the car has been neglected but rather serviced and not documented.

At any rate, at this age neglect will definitely show..

So if you intend to keep the car for the longer run, or you get it for a real bargain in the first place I wouldn't worry about it as such - buy on condition and take it to an indie to give it a proper once over before buying.

This, however, only goes for the missing service documentation - anything else feels wrong, don't do it...

 

[silver_star]

I find in situations the best thing to trust is your first instinct. If you have doubts but can't pin point them you are probably right that there is something wrong....only you know the full picture to make up your mind.

 

[martin_a]

Surely he could send you the details over and you could check the MOT online?

As you say though, you've missed another one so there will be more. If it doesn't feel right then that's not good.

m.

 

[A210AMG]

Could you check what he said against the dealer that has service the car?

Have you actually seen the car and driven it?

I would be tempted to leave it, if things don't feel right now you may always have doubt when driving it.

Other say there are pleanty around...A the spec you want / price there isn't really so I know its not an easy thing to do.


However if it were me and I wasn't sure then I would take a rain check, to be honest if he's selling it he should have sorted the plate out straight away and have all the documents to hand?

I have everything for each car in a folder I can grab from the study, insurance, mot, servicing info, everything quickly to hand.

 

[Stratman]

That you took the trouble to post your doubts on a public forum should tell you the answer.

Walk away.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Could you check what he said against the dealer that has service the car? Not yet

Have you actually seen the car and driven it? No

I would be tempted to leave it, if things don't feel right now you may always have doubt when driving it.

Other say there are pleanty around...A the spec you want / price there isn't really so I know its not an easy thing to do.


However if it were me and I wasn't sure then I would take a rain check, to be honest if he's selling it he should have sorted the plate out straight away and have all the documents to hand?

I have everything for each car in a folder I can grab from the study, insurance, mot, servicing info, everything quickly to hand.

My biggest problem is that we are now without a car, which doesn't affect me so much; more the wife. So you can imagine the ear-ache I'm getting..

Is it so hard to find a clean, S211 E320 Cdi Avantgarde with 7 seats, COMAND, Memory heated seats, preferably with FMBSH for circa £9k?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

That you took the trouble to post your doubts on a public forum should tell you the answer.

Walk away.

The more I think, the more I'm inclined to agree.

It's just that I've spent so much time trying to set up a deal, that to let it go now would be a waste. By the same token, I suppose if I bide my time, one will come up for sale.

 

[steve333]

As the song goes,walk away,walk away!

 

[crockers]

My biggest problem is that we are now without a car, which doesn't affect me so much; more the wife. So you can imagine the ear-ache I'm getting..

Is it so hard to find a clean, S211 E320 Cdi Avantgarde with 7 seats, COMAND, Memory heated seats, preferably with FMBSH for circa £9k?

Sorted....

 

[Beetnik]

Walkies!

 

[martin_a]

In the words of Kenny Rogers "you got to know when to walk away, know when to run"

m.

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

Sorted....

Sorry Crockers but I find this sort of picture (below) reply to this chaps problem really unhelpfull.

What he really needs is..

 

[developer]

You certainly don't want to feel this

Buyer's remorse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[A210AMG]

What have you decided?

Could you hire a car for short time? or borrow off family / friend?