Mercedes-Benz Mechanic Discusses: What To Know Before Buying A Used Benz
If you are in the market for a used Mercedes-Benz, then you could be in for one of luxury motoring’s most exhilarating experiences. The performance heritage, appeal of luxury driving, and engineering excellence at a more accessible price are undeniably tempting. There is one thing that you should be certain of, and that is making an informed choice backed by the experience and expertise of a seasoned Mercedes-Benz mechanic. After all, if you do not vet the car properly, you could be in for a serious financial headache.
With our years of experience in the European luxury and motorsport space, we’ve seen it all in terms of what to look out for. After reading this article, you’ll be empowered to make a great decision on a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz that you’ll love.
Why A Used Mercedes-Benz Can Be Smart (But Also Risky)
Renowned for their longevity and build quality, Mercedes-Benz is a bastion of the refined motoring landscape. You will often see specimens from as early as the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s still on the road. The durability that the cars are known for is what makes them a smart choice for many motorists. You will get a significant portion of the luxury and performance of a new vehicle without too much depreciation to worry about.
There is one thing to be aware of when buying a used Mercedes-Benz; they are advanced and performant vehicles. Due to this, the Mercedes maintenance requires special expertise and tools. This is where you will need to rely on the invaluable experience of a professional Mercedes-Benz mechanic.
Pre-Purchase Homework
Before you look at a specific car, it’s essential to take stock of where you are financially, what car you want specifically, and what maintenance for the car is going to look like in the short, medium, and long term.
Define Your Budget
A budget is always necessary when it comes to motoring, and for every vehicle, you should always have a budget with three important aspects:
- Purchase price
- Running Costs
- Maintenance Costs
Being able to buy the Mercedes-Benz will not help if you’re not able to keep up with the fuel costs as well as regular maintenance, which is essential on these motor vehicles.
Pick A Model And Research Common Issues
It’s good to decide on the model of car that you are interested in, rather than keeping all of your options open. There is such a large choice of luxury vehicles out there that it’s best to pick one and then focus on the details. Once you have the model in mind, research forums and reliability surveys for specific quirks and issues that those vehicles are known to have. Consumer Reports and JD Power are good places to start looking. For example, certain S-Class models have air suspension systems that eventually fail, while some mid-2000s V6s had balance shaft issues.
Insurance Costs
Before you set your heart on the vehicle, do yourself a favor and get an insurance quote for the specific model that you are looking at purchasing. Since Mercedes-Benz is a luxury vehicle, insurance can be a significant cost depending on the model.
I’ve Found A Car That I Like – What Now?
So, after your homework is complete, you’ve decided on the model and year, and you’ve found an actual car that you like, what’s next? There are just a few steps that are of paramount importance in this phase, and you don’t want to skimp on them.
The Initial Inspection
It’s time to get hands-on with the car and look for the following things, starting with the exterior:
Panel Gaps and Paint Consistency
Look for the following things, which could indicate past accident repair:
- Uneven gaps between body panels
- Differences in paint shades
Rust Spots
Modern Mercedes-Benzes are better protected, but rust can still be an issue, especially in coastal areas like South Florida.
Be sure to look in the following locations for signs of rust and corrosion:
- Wheel arches
- Rocker panels
- Door sills
- Around all the windows
Check The Tires
Uneven wear can signal a host of potential issues, some trivial and others costly. Take note of the tire brand as well. An unknown brand of tire could indicate that the previous owner cut corners on maintenance.
Some reasons for uneven wear include:
- Wheel alignment (inexpensive)
- Suspension problems (expensive)
- A bent frame (very expensive)
Safety Considerations – Lights and Wipers
Take the little bit of time needed to confirm that the headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights are all in working order. See that the windscreen washers are operational and that the wipers do not need replacement.
With the exterior done, now you can turn your attention to the details of the interior inspection.
Funny Odors
If the air freshener is overpowering, perhaps the previous owners were trying to hide or mask something. Ensure that you do not detect any musty smells, which could indicate a water leak from a sunroof or air conditioner drain.
Infotainment System And Electronic Controls
Check every electronic control that you can. Malfunctioning electronics can be incredibly expensive to diagnose and repair, so it’s worth your while to ensure that the following items are on your list and confirmed to be in working order:
- Power windows
- Electric seats
- Sunroof
- infotainment system
- climate control
- heated/ventilated seats
- Trunk switch
Dashboard Lights
Start the engine and ensure that all warning lights briefly flash to ensure that they are working and illuminate. Once the car is started, they should disappear to show that there are no prevalent issues. There are warning lights for the engine, oil systems, and the ABS system.
Wear and Tear
A great way to check for high mileage, just to ensure that the odometer can be trusted, is to check the wear level on the steering wheel, pedals, and driver’s seat bolsters. Normal wear is expected, but excessive wear could indicate very high mileage.
Under the Floor Mats
A simple check is to look under the floor mats for any signs of water leaks, as the carpets will feel damp or even be wet if there is a leak.
Non-Negotiable Steps
The following steps are completely non-negotiable and should be where the decision to buy or not to buy is reached. Making use of a professional and certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic is crucial in these steps, since they will be able to provide you with peace of mind.
The Vehicle History Check
There are several important sources that are at your disposal for this step, as well as crucial documentation that should all be in order.
Service Records
A car that possesses a complete and documented service history from an authorized and reputable independent Mercedes-Benz mechanic is worth its weight in gold. If there are any gaps in the service history for the vehicle, this is a serious red flag.
Look for the following work that has been done:
- Consistent oil changes
- Routine maintenance
- Records of any major repairs
Online Motor Vehicle Report Services
Online services such as CARFAX, Experian, Transunion, and Car Vertical can all provide valuable information about the car’s history, including:
- Accident history (and severity)
- Flood damage
- Salvage titles
- Odometer discrepancies
- Number of previous owners
- Service history reported to various databases
Recall Information
From time to time, there are certain manufacturer defects, and brands such as Mercedes-Benz will issue recalls on certain parts. You can check online if there are any recalls for the model and year of the car that you are interested in, as well as being able to see if they have been addressed for that car’s VIN.
Original Owner’s Manual and Documentation
If you find a car that has a well-kept manual with original paperwork, this can suggest that the previous owner/s were meticulous and looked after the vehicle well.
Conduct A Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) by A Mercedes-Benz Mechanic
Now that you have done all that you can to confirm that this vehicle is a good buy, the seller should have no problem releasing the car to you for a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). This is the safest bet that you can make when buying a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, and you should not proceed with the sale if the seller is unwilling to submit the vehicle for a PPI.
Independent Is Important
An independent mechanic has no vested interest in selling you the car. Their loyalty is to you, and they will be looking for a car that has a good foundation for service and maintenance for you as their customer.
What Does A PPI Entail?
A thorough PPI goes way beyond what you can see as a motorist and requires specialized tools to complete.
The mechanic will typically do the following things:
Vehicle Diagnostic Scan
They will use a special scan tool to connect to the car’s diagnostic system to read fault codes. Fault codes can be stored and current and the mechanic will know what each of these mean.
Engine And Major Component Inspection
The mechanics will conduct a thorough inspection of the engine bay and components, as well as the transmission, suspension, brakes, and electrical systems. They will also look underneath the engine for fluid leaks not visible from above.
Other Checks
Lastly, the following areas will be assessed:
- Inspecting the undercarriage for damage or rust
- Checking component wear (e.g., brake pads, rotors, bushings)
Finally, the mechanic will conduct a test drive to assess the performance of the vehicle and identify any subtle issues with engine behavior or suspension noise.
The Cost of Ownership: Maintenance And Running Costs
Finally, you must be able to draw up a budget that considers both the running costs as well as the maintenance costs of the vehicle. Some cars require special transmission fluid and care as well as differential lubricants, and even hydraulic suspension systems.
Routine Maintenance
Regarding routine maintenance for Mercedes-Benz models from 2009 onwards, there are two service categories, namely A and B services.
The A service is conducted on a 10,000-mile interval and covers the following items:
- Engine fluid levels and filters (oil, coolant, ATF)
- Hinge inspection for hood, trunk, and doors
- Brake fluid and any other fluid level check and correction
- Tires and brakes for wear and pad thickness
- All motorized components, such as wipers and automatic doors
- Electrical systems functionality
- Recalls, Technical Service bulletins
- Headlights, sensors, battery voltage, and current
The B Service is conducted on a 20,000-mile interval and is more in-depth.
You can expect to have the following checked in addition to the above:
- All engine Poly V-Belt conditions
- Condition and function of throttle linkages
- Check for wear pattern on brakes and also for cracks and damage on the wheels
- Parking brake adjustment
- Checking for leaks on all hydraulic lines
- Checking steering and suspension linkages, tie rod ends, ball joints, and rubber boots
- Inspect the entire exhaust system for leaks and damage
Foreign Affairs Motorsport: Mercedes-Benz Mechanics You Can Trust
As you can see, Mercedes-Benz takes its maintenance seriously, and at Foreign Affairs Motorsport, we take our customer satisfaction and high work standards seriously too. For over 40 years, we have been the mainstay of South Florida’s European motorsport maintenance. Call us now at (954) 746-0488 to conduct the Pre-Purchase Inspection for the Mercedes-Benz of your dreams.