Dilemma - should I buy it?

[greenbluegreen]

Hi folks.

I’ve been searching for my first Mercedes.

I’m after a c-class w204 facelift models and came across a very tidy one on 60k miles (2013) for 4k

There’s just one catch - it’s a category S

Attached are before and after. The rear bumper was smashed.

Is this too much of a risk, as I obviously won’t know if what’s behind the bumper was fixed?

I’m planning on seeing the car on Sunday, is there anything I should look for?

All in all the price is very tempting and the car looks great inside and mileage is good.

Many thanks

 

[DSK]

From a safety perspective I’d want a structural inspection on that. That bumper is heavily caved in. Many far less rear end shunts where the bumper is in tact have had hidden damage upon closer inspection.

What does the mot and service history mileage readings look like and the condition of the car as a whole otherwise?

Certainly nothing wrong with a damaged repaired car so long as the repair has been done properly addressing all necessary parts rather than a cover up.


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[greenbluegreen]

Clean MOT, in fact one of the cleanest I’ve seen. (See attached)

No advisories on the last three MOTs and the ones before that were tyres and wipers.

The car was driven 11k miles between last and this MOT - June 23 - June 24

Unless I’m able to find a garage on a short notice to inspect the repair on the day, I don’t see how I’ll be certain it’s been repaired properly, unless I take the traders word for it.

I will also be looking at service maintenance book to see how regularly the service has been done (especially that it’s w204 m274 chain horror stories), but the car had a few owners already (some would’ve been traders, salvage auctions etc) so not too hopeful.

Any other thoughts? The car was seen at the salvage auction in February 2023. (I have attached owners history timeline)

Many thanks!

 

[AlanGunn]

Looking at the metal strip between the boot and bumper that has no damage well i can't see any.
To me it would be ok i would buy it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I have one rule when viewing cars I don’t buy Cat S (structural damage) just not worth it, It may have been repaired on a jig who knows.

Sorry if this sounds harsh!

 

[DSK]

Agreed Cat S just not worth headache but cosmetic damage repaired ok provided that rice is right if that’s what one wants.


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[greenbluegreen]

Thanks all,

I’m going to see it before making a final decision. Appreciate your inputs

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Just be aware that any misalignment on the structure (rear subframe) may result in scrubbing rear tyres off as if they are going out of fashion and you won’t know this until you’ve bought it and using it.

If you do go and look at it take all the carpet, spare wheel etc out of the boot so you can inspect the boot floor pan for any sign of stress or crumpling

 

[peterws1957]

Could be wrong but I doubt that it would have been recorded as a Cat S if there was just bumper and boot damage. I would expect boot floor damage at the least - check for ripples in that area that have been botched over. It should be obvious if a new boot floor has been fitted. Good luck.

 

[DSK]

Our neighbour had an Amazon van bump the rear of their new Volvo S60 at a set of light up the road. Cosmetically it was only a scuff on the bumper but when it was inspected some metal beam of some sort behind it was also bent and needed replacing.


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[greenbluegreen]

is the rear subframe, the same subframe that gets corroded on this model and gets replaced by MB themselves? Like this topic :

Rear subframe replacement recall - MB policy

I was told a few months ago (during an MOT) that MB had an ongoing rear subframe recall issue going on. More recently I was buying parts from the local MB dealership (excellent parts backup even for my 2003 car) and happened to notice quite a stack of new rear subframes. Also, on the way out...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

As advised I’ll check the boot for creases and anything else that’s obvious. Just had a quick chat with the dealer, they advertise the car on auto trader as FSH, when called they guy said came without any history. When challenged about the advert, he asked me to call back later so he can check for history again… another red flag. What are my rights when dealing with traders, in general?

 

[Rob7seven]

Our neighbour had an Amazon van bump the rear of their new Volvo S60 at a set of light up the road. Cosmetically it was only a scuff on the bumper but when it was inspected some metal beam of some sort behind it was also bent and needed replacing.


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Some years ago, I was rear ended fairly gently in Chamonix by a window-shopping woman in one of those tiny French things that seem to be based on small motorbikes, owners don't need to pass any test to drive one. It wasn't much of a bump, but her car was a write off, and the pastic rear bumper on my 6 month old Alfa 159 was cracked and broken, though the car still drove OK. Insurance job of course, and no argument over liability, and when the bumper was removed, apparently there was damage to the underlying structure, so a £2000 repair job back in 2007. My advice would be not to take any chances, leave it to the experts. Even if the expert is a money-grabbing inturance company, they wouldn't have OK'd the repair if they didn't believe that all the mostly hidden damage needed fixing properly, hence category S.

 

[Rotorhead500]

is the rear subframe, the same subframe that gets corroded on this model and gets replaced by MB themselves? Like this topic :

Rear subframe replacement recall - MB policy

I was told a few months ago (during an MOT) that MB had an ongoing rear subframe recall issue going on. More recently I was buying parts from the local MB dealership (excellent parts backup even for my 2003 car) and happened to notice quite a stack of new rear subframes. Also, on the way out...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

As advised I’ll check the boot for creases and anything else that’s obvious. Just had a quick chat with the dealer, they advertise the car on auto trader as FSH, when called they guy said came without any history. When challenged about the advert, he asked me to call back later so he can check for history again… another red flag. What are my rights when dealing with traders, in general?

Did he come back to you???

Too much of a risk for me, plus that red flag.

With regards to rights with Traders - yes, you have some but the onus always ends up on the consumer to fight it through, during which time they have your money, you have a dodgy car, plus all the hassle while they stay silent and hope you go away.

 

[DSK]

I’d hate to stop someone buying something they want but I’d say, C class’s are everywhere and you could find a better car given time.

The FSH and lies will be brushed off as a mistake but, one knows what their car has before putting up for sale! It’s just a tactic to get one’s hopes up so that if a few things fall short they still feel they want the car.


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[00slk]

is the rear subframe, the same subframe that gets corroded on this model and gets replaced by MB themselves? Like this topic :

Rear subframe replacement recall - MB policy

I was told a few months ago (during an MOT) that MB had an ongoing rear subframe recall issue going on. More recently I was buying parts from the local MB dealership (excellent parts backup even for my 2003 car) and happened to notice quite a stack of new rear subframes. Also, on the way out...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

As advised I’ll check the boot for creases and anything else that’s obvious. Just had a quick chat with the dealer, they advertise the car on auto trader as FSH, when called they guy said came without any history. When challenged about the advert, he asked me to call back later so he can check for history again… another red flag. What are my rights when dealing with traders, in general?

Usually cars sent to the salvage dealers won't have any history, and sometimes keys, as these are destroyed by the insurance companies.
With this repaired car, check the fit and alignment of the boot lid, it's not fitting right in that last photo.

 

[KennyN]

Was talking to a workmate the other day who`s relative had purchased a Cat S Civic , fine for a while but now they have some electrical issues with random ABS sensor faults and various other messages , been back to the main dealers numerous times and they now recon there is an issue with the wiring somewhere within the vehicle which which was possibly caused by the "bump" that led to the "S" categorisation , good luck finding that before the next MOT.

How much more is a "clean" vehicle than the "S" vehicle.

Never fancied the reliability risk / the potential resale grief or insurance valuation hassle with an "S" .

K

PS - Wife was rear ended at a set of lights (stop giggling the back) and the superficial damage on her rear end turned into a £2500 insurance claim for the other driver , which originally looked like a few scratches.

 

[greenbluegreen]

Did he come back to you???

Too much of a risk for me, plus that red flag.

With regards to rights with Traders - yes, you have some but the onus always ends up on the consumer to fight it through, during which time they have your money, you have a dodgy car, plus all the hassle while they stay silent and hope you go away.

They did, apparently the history is up to 2021 so not exactly FSH, no other warranty (even 3 months one they tend to offer) is available.

I’m going to give it a pass. A well maintained one is 6,5k+ same spec/year and that’s well out of range for now. But I’ll keep looking.

 

[greenbluegreen]

Was talking to a workmate the other day who`s relative had purchased a Cat S Civic , fine for a while but now they have some electrical issues with random ABS sensor faults and various other messages , been back to the main dealers numerous times and they now recon there is an issue with the wiring somewhere within the vehicle which which was possibly caused by the "bump" that led to the "S" categorisation , good luck finding that before the next MOT.

How much more is a "clean" vehicle than the "S" vehicle.

Never fancied the reliability risk / the potential resale grief or insurance valuation hassle with an "S" .

K

PS - Wife was rear ended at a set of lights (stop giggling the back) and the superficial damage on her rear end turned into a £2500 insurance claim for the other driver , which originally looked like a few scratches.

Fair enough, super helpful info which helped the decision. It’s a pass!

Thank you

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I would, you’ve done the right thing IMO

 

[DSK]

A 2015 C250 cdi sport is one of the worst cars I have ever driven. This was my aunts from new and had about 35/40k on it when I drove it.

For the money, take a look at a Lexus IS250, far superior when it comes to refinement and quality. You should be able to bag a good deal on one too with easy haggling. They do a an IS220d if a diesel is a must.

Just keep searching the classified ads and I’m sure you will find what you are looking for.


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