Would you folks mind looking this over?

[MikeInWimbledon]

Not surprisingly that S211 immediately sold. A bargain for familywagon or ad hoc business work.

Not at all convinced that an S211 would be “more expensive to run” if you’re doing low miles. They’re more to tax, for sure, but they were built to a higher standard in the first place.

Generally looking for perfection, low mileage and full service history in a 14 year old car going for less than £4K is “a trifle optimistic.” They are very rare and will be snapped up as soon as they’re advertised. You’re not the only one watching Autotrader.

But good luck

 

[JamRocky]

Not surprisingly that S211 immediately sold. A bargain for familywagon or ad hoc business work.

Not at all convinced that an S211 would be “more expensive to run” if you’re doing low miles. They’re more to tax, for sure, but they were built to a higher standard in the first place.

Generally looking for perfection, low mileage and full service history in a 14 year old car going for less than £4K is “a trifle optimistic.” They are very rare and will be snapped up as soon as they’re advertised. You’re not the only one watching Autotrader.

But good luck

No one said I was looking for perfection though. You said that, not me. The price is relative to the age and condition of the car right? It’s a 2008 pre facelift. It doesn’t have to have full service history, but it’s still a Mercedes and wasn’t always sub £4K. It should still have been looked after and what’s a basic oil and filter service? £150? I had one where the dealer told me they “lost the service book” - On a 162k mile car - that was £3895. It might not be much money to some, but I’m not parting with £4K for a no history high mile car. Some folks on here have said the opposite and not to accept a car with no proven or sketchy maintenance history just because it’s a lower value vehicle.
The main issue I have with this C Estate is the timing kit and water pump situation.
The E was very lovely indeed and as you say a great price. Ultimately, too big for what I need. If I really wanted an E, and I have been tempted, I would have jumped at that one most likely.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

No one said I was looking for perfection though. You said that, not me. The price is relative to the age and condition of the car right? It’s a 2008 pre facelift. It doesn’t have to have full service history, but it’s still a Mercedes and wasn’t always sub £4K. It should still have been looked after and what’s a basic oil and filter service? £150? I had one where the dealer told me they “lost the service book” - On a 162k mile car - that was £3895. It might not be much money to some, but I’m not parting with £4K for a no history high mile car. Some folks on here have said the opposite and not to accept a car with no proven or sketchy maintenance history just because it’s a lower value vehicle.
The main issue I have with this C Estate is the timing kit and water pump situation.
The E was very lovely indeed and as you say a great price. Ultimately, too big for what I need. If I really wanted an E, and I have been tempted, I would have jumped at that one most likely.

For sure, my point is that improving on just over £3k for 14 year old 2.2 litre elegance diesel estate in good condition with 120k will be difficult. (I'm assuming that you could take it away for £3,100 if you ask nicely and wave cash) Estates with lower mileage and better service histories are snapped up quickly - for higher prices.

Oil services are irrelevant at this age and mileage. There's a whole raft of maintenance work that should have been done, from pumps to timing, from ATF to discs and pads, from minor glitches to renewed filters, All of which will be way more than £150 it costs to refresh the oil

If you have plenty of time, as I do, it's interesting to watch for unique vehicles coming through, but they are rare. As you've already found. I'm just warning about being realistic about what you'll get for your budget. Especially from a dealer who's hoping to take a £700 turn on the car - but at least £300, if he's unlucky.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Another point which is worth making is that ads give you a flavour of what the car will be like, but don't tell the whole story.

It's all about condition when you see them, which is where a second opinion can come in useful. Usually they're worse than described, sometimes they're better. Too many owners or a missing service can be a bad thing, but not necessarily.

Service histories, including missing services, can always be looked up, and printed down, on the Mercedes online history system.

Good luck

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Ruefully, I'll admit that I spent the last year looking for a low mileage (40k) S500L in a colour other than black or silver, with a cream interior. Theoretically, they exist. Have I seen one? Nope.

I'll probably give up and settle for silver in the Spring but I'm not happy about it. But it doesn't matter because I have all the time in the world.

 

[JamRocky]

Another point which is worth making is that ads give you a flavour of what the car will be like, but don't tell the whole story.

It's all about condition when you see them, which is where a second opinion can come in useful. Usually they're worse than described, sometimes they're better. Too many owners or a missing service can be a bad thing, but not necessarily.

Service histories, including missing services, can always be looked up, and printed down, on the Mercedes online history system.

Good luck

I see what you are saying. £3100 would be cheap. My point on the £150 oil services is that some of these high miler ones don’t even have that let alone the other maintenance you mentioned.
The CL203 I lost in the accident had everything done. If there was advisories in the MOT I did them. It had 23 service stamps of varying levels on a 56 plate. All matching tyres 1500 miles ago. It had brakes, and nearly all suspension components replaced in recent years, some of which was done by me. Gearbox had work done at the Mercedes main dealer a few years ago. It was a lovely example and everything worked. The insurance company is being stingy on the payout despite it being non fault, so I’m limited on what I can do as I’m adding money no matter what. I just want the best I can get for what I can afford. As you say though many others are too.

 

[markjay]

Personally, I would be happy to buy a 15 years old car on condition only, given that on older cars the service history can often simply be lost over time and owners. I feel confident enough to know if a car was well looked after, or not. There are many tell-tale signs.

That been said, there's the question of value for money. I know I'll be offered less come sell time. And so, unless I am planning on keeping the car for many years, eventually running it to the ground and scrapping it, then I would only buy a car with no history if the price was discounted accordingly. Otherwise, I'll be out of pocket.

 

[Skd884]

Personally, I would be happy to buy a 15 years old car on condition only, given that on older cars the service history can often simply be lost over time and owners. I feel confident enough to know if a car was well looked after, or not. There are many tell-tale signs.

That been said, there's the question of value for money. I know I'll be offered less come sell time. And so, unless I am planning on keeping the car for many years, eventually running it to the ground and scrapping it, then I would only buy a car with no history if the price was discounted accordingly. Otherwise, I'll be out of pocket.

If only everyone cared for their cars the way you do, thanks for letting me be the custodian of your 204 it'superb.

 

[JamRocky]

Personally, I would be happy to buy a 15 years old car on condition only, given that on older cars the service history can often simply be lost over time and owners. I feel confident enough to know if a car was well looked after, or not. There are many tell-tale signs.

That been said, there's the question of value for money. I know I'll be offered less come sell time. And so, unless I am planning on keeping the car for many years, eventually running it to the ground and scrapping it, then I would only buy a car with no history if the price was discounted accordingly. Otherwise, I'll be out of pocket.

I bought a nice car a few years ago from a dealer with no service history. Not a Mercedes, but drove well and great condition. They serviced it but the service book was missing. It never put a foot wrong, BUT when I came to sell it on it was very difficult without the history. I tried everything to track down some history through the manufacturer and a garage that I saw the MOT’s were done at, but drew a blank. I’d never buy a no history car again unless I too was using it until the end of its life.

 

[Smiley]

Ruefully, I'll admit that I spent the last year looking for a low mileage (40k) S500L in a colour other than black or silver, with a cream interior. Theoretically, they exist. Have I seen one? Nope.

I'll probably give up and settle for silver in the Spring but I'm not happy about it. But it doesn't matter because I have all the time in the world.

And the week after you buy the silver one you know what will happen........

 

[Smiley]

I bought a nice car a few years ago from a dealer with no service history. Not a Mercedes, but drove well and great condition. They serviced it but the service book was missing. It never put a foot wrong, BUT when I came to sell it on it was very difficult without the history. I tried everything to track down some history through the manufacturer and a garage that I saw the MOT’s were done at, but drew a blank. I’d never buy a no history car again unless I too was using it until the end of its life.

Given that you need a car to replace the damaged one and a similar condition one is hard to find, then maybe buy a cheaper one to use whilst you wait for the right car to come along; the sort of car you want will sell quickly so you will need to be prepared to look every day I'm afraid.

 

[EndlessMoneyPit]

I don't know where you are in the South, OP but whenever I've been looking for an older Merc, there always seems to be a ton in or around Devon. Try searching Auto Trader with a Devon post code instead of your own and within 150 miles of it.

 

[JamRocky]

Given that you need a car to replace the damaged one and a similar condition one is hard to find, then maybe buy a cheaper one to use whilst you wait for the right car to come along; the sort of car you want will sell quickly so you will need to be prepared to look every day I'm afraid.

I’m on it morning, noon and night I saw a smart white C estate 220 sport one on this morning. All looked decent in the description. It’s just in budget. I actually got excited, until I saw it was manual and I don’t want to go back to manual now. I know for some that will be a big bonus and it’s going to get snapped up. You never know what you might see tomorrow!

 

[JamRocky]

I don't know where you are in the South, OP but whenever I've been looking for an older Merc, there always seems to be a ton in or around Devon. Try searching Auto Trader with a Devon post code instead of your own and within 150 miles of it.

I have found the opposite. There never seems to be anything in the Southwest … The last 3 cars I’ve owned have all come from hundreds of miles up country or easterly. I also find the ones that do eventually come up are stupidly overpriced by comparison. Am I looking in the wrong place? Autotrader, eBay, gumtree etc. the only thing I don’t have access to is Facebook marketplace and I have a suspicion there could be a lot on there?!

 

[Smiley]

I doubt that you will find what you're looking for on Facebook market place. There's very limited search criteria so you have to keep scrolling, there are occasionally decent cars but, ime, most are small time traders selling tat - and quite a few "hiding" behind false names or profiles of young ladies. I don't bother looking any more. Gumtree is almost as bad. The better cars always seem to be on eBay or AT.

 

[JamRocky]

I doubt that you will find what you're looking for on Facebook market place. There's very limited search criteria so you have to keep scrolling, there are occasionally decent cars but, ime, most are small time traders selling tat - and quite a few "hiding" behind false names or profiles of young ladies. I don't bother looking any more. Gumtree is almost as bad. The better cars always seem to be on eBay or AT.

Ah good! I’ve never missed anything not using Facebook then. Gumtree gets on my nerves. The replies you get for asking straightforward car related questions is ridiculous. I asked one trader if the advisories had been done from the previous MOT (there was a lot mostly suspension related) as the MOT he just had done had no advisories suddenly. They replied “Do you wanna see it or not”
I think insurers should also payout (for not at fault) for the time and BS you have to go through trying to find a decent car to replace the written off one you owned and trusted!

 

[EndlessMoneyPit]

I have found the opposite. There never seems to be anything in the Southwest … The last 3 cars I’ve owned have all come from hundreds of miles up country or easterly. I also find the ones that do eventually come up are stupidly overpriced by comparison. Am I looking in the wrong place? Autotrader, eBay, gumtree etc. the only thing I don’t have access to is Facebook marketplace and I have a suspicion there could be a lot on there?!

That's typical, I suppose. Grass is always greener...

I don't use Face-ache, so I've no idea. Autotrader and ebay are my usual hunting grounds. I find Autotrader is best when I really narrow down the search parameters. Is this too old/basic? Not a great spec, but only two owners and nothing too scary in the MOT history:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Seller is a bit of a mystery though...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'll probably give up and settle for silver in the Spring but I'm not happy about it. But it doesn't matter because I have all the time in the world.

I can almost guarantee one coming your way. You just need to buy a car and then it will appear, so get one bought and don’t delete your eBay and AutoTrader alerts!

 

[JamRocky]

That's typical, I suppose. Grass is always greener...

I don't use Face-ache, so I've no idea. Autotrader and ebay are my usual hunting grounds. I find Autotrader is best when I really narrow down the search parameters. Is this too old/basic? Not a great spec, but only two owners and nothing too scary in the MOT history:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Seller is a bit of a mystery though...

No, not too old at all. What’s up with the seller?

 

[JamRocky]

I can almost guarantee one coming your way. You just need to buy a car and then it will appear, so get one bought and don’t delete your eBay and AutoTrader alerts!

I hope I get the same luck!