Shopping for an E Class Estate - Checking service records

[laurusbaurus]

I'm shopping for an E Class estate at the moment. I contacted a dealer selling a very high miles 2018 E220d at 170k miles. Dealer claims it has full service history with 11 stamps. I asked about gearbox servicing, and he couldn't tell me because he said the Mercedes printout doesn't show a breakdown of what's been done. Of course he says it ought to have had a gearbox service, but I'm of the mind if there isn't proof, it didn't happen.

Is it accurate what he's saying that a gearbox service wouldn't show up on the Mercedes printout even if done? Is there any other way to find out?

For what it's worth, here's the listing I'm looking at. Please tell me if I'm complete idiot even looking at one with 170k done already. I'm following the "newer car, higher miles" is better advice, but even this must have a limit.

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

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

With the 9G box it should have been done at ~77K miles or 5 years

 

[laurusbaurus]

Hello and welcome,

With the 9G box it should have been done at ~77K miles or 5 years

So this one should have had two gearbox services done by now.

Would these be listed in the Mercedes printouts if they were done? How sure can I be these were done if not mentioned?

 

[Blobcat]

So this one should have had two gearbox services done by now.

Would these be listed in the Mercedes printouts if they were done? How sure can I be these were done if not mentioned?

It should be listed in the digital service printout.

 

[laurusbaurus]

It should be listed in the digital service printout.

Thank you for confirming that.

Concerning the dealer claims it doesn't list that level of detail. Makes me wonder if it never happened.

 

[JBell]

So this one should have had two gearbox services done by now.

Probably needing it's 3rd very soon, the dealer should be able to get everything from MB

 

[DSK]

Do you really want to buy a car that’s done 170k and only has an oil change circa every 15k! Run away. There are too many of these cars to not be patient and hunt for the right one. For me even with new car I don’t even look at any that have not been serviced over and above the dealers recommended (marketing illusion for imbeciles) intervals.

I will have to check my records but, my MB Indy gave me two print outs on request. One showing date and mileage of service, that you typically get. The second print out added more detailed info indicating what had been done. This goes nicely with the invoices so there is a full, legit tally up.

I am of the same opinion as you on the factual experience people never want to pay to maintain a car so anything above a dodgy oil change is likely to get rejected such as a gearbox service. As you say if there’s no proof assume the worst.

 

[Srdl]

Welcome - MOT history only shows tests for 2023 and 2024 but nothjng for 2021 and 2022. Where was the car then?

Rings too many alarm bells for me!

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=KR18URF&checkRecalls=true

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

High mileage cars can be good buys if they are meticulously maintained if you have any doubts walk away

 

[EmilysDad]

High mileage cars can be good buys if they are meticulously maintained if you have any doubts walk away

I bought 3 cars at around 100k & took them to almost 200k ..... never had a problem (head gasket at 150k was the only failure).... and they were 'only' Vauxhalls, but when they all drove rear wheels!

 

[fabes]

In view of the unusual MOT records I would at least recommend a better check through Car Vertical or the like.

At best, find another, there are plenty, literally dozens.
But it's your money....

 

[laurusbaurus]

Fair points all. Thank you.

I'm looking at some other options as well more in the 100k miles range. Still trying to be meticulous about checking for service history. Anything else to look for besides the usual gearbox service at 60k, regular servicing every 10-15k, and MOT history?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Fair points all. Thank you.

I'm looking at some other options as well more in the 100k miles range. Still trying to be meticulous about checking for service history. Anything else to look for besides the usual gearbox service at 60k, regular servicing every 10-15k, and MOT history?

If it’s the OM654 engine you are looking at try to find one with <10k miles oil changes and I’d be looking at more of the 70-80k miles examples better to spend that bit more on purchase than pay for remedial work required in the near future and avoid taxis

 

[DSK]

As above, try and find a car that’s genuinely been driven no more than 10k between oil changes. Try not to rush your purchase as repairs and niggles will be costly.

Also do an MOT check. So many shiny cars with constant and repeat advisories/failures that show careless/negligence. The market is littered with them yet owners insist on them being mint.

A CLS shooting brake in the same guise may help find a better overall example faster.


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[laurusbaurus]

I'd be thrilled to find an example with oil changes every 10k. I've been shopping for a car for over a month now looking at Skoda Superbs, BMW 5 Series Tourings, and E-Class estates. Shocking how poorly many of them have been maintained. Getting depressing calling dealers advertising "full history" only to find gaps of 40k miles without servicing. Truly shocking.

Anyway, I'll continue being patient. Penny wise pound foolish to rush into a purchase.

 

[DSK]

I'd be thrilled to find an example with oil changes every 10k. I've been shopping for a car for over a month now looking at Skoda Superbs, BMW 5 Series Tourings, and E-Class estates. Shocking how poorly many of them have been maintained. Getting depressing calling dealers advertising "full history" only to find gaps of 40k miles without servicing. Truly shocking.

Anyway, I'll continue being patient. Penny wise pound foolish to rush into a purchase.

That’s standard! Even with main dealers. 15/20k oil changes, filters/lugs every 20/40k… i leave those shag knackers to the ‘consuming public’.

Good ones are out there but it just takes time. Several months to come across them is normal, most likely being sold by a private individual. Usually they are low owner, annual service regardless of lower miles, being sold for perhaps a sudden change in circumstances, rather than time for a new cycle of finance to be abused by several owners who leave the maintenance for the next.


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[Trev1964]

My CLS had 53k miles on it at 11 years old and has been serviced annually.
Also had the gearbox serviced twice.
They are out there with good maintenance.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’d be looking for something like this:

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

Private seller with known history and 10k miles oil changes

 

[JBell]

That’s standard! Even with main dealers. 15/20k oil changes, filters/lugs every 20/40k… i leave those shag knackers to the ‘consuming public’.

Most of them like that are just because they have followed the normal Service Schedule

 

[fabes]

I’d be looking for something like this:

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

Private seller with known history and 10k miles oil changes

He's after an estate.

That looks a good car though for £11k