Should I buy A140 Classic.....

[vindaloot]

I would appreciate your advice.

I have seen a A140 Classic for sale on a 52 plate with 48k miles done. Car is in black and in excellent condition, oly 3 previous owners. Only bad point is that its registered as a CAT C. The car has been reapired and VIC tested etc.. nearly 2 years ago.

Im not an expert in cars, but I drove the car and it works fine and I opened the bonet and checked for any visible accident signs but couldn't spot any.

Should I risk it as its going for £2800 ono..?

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

The A140 Classic is the entry level model and at £2,800 for a Cat C seems expensive.
I see the car on autotrader, there is quite a few others for similar money however or a year older A160's for £1,490 to £1,850.

 

[DougCLK320]

As a cat 3 it's all but worthless as a trade-in, and will always be so. Legitimate traders won't touch it with a barge pole. Unless you intend to keep it for many years (i.e. until it's scrapped/banger), I'd walk away.

 

[jpbp200]

Hi

I'm sure plenty of members can give you more expert advice but I would want to know if it was repaired by an MB bodyshop using genuine MB parts. If not then I would walk away. Get the details of the repairer then give them a call to see exactly what was replaced. Did the airbags deploy for example? Was it a rear or front end shunt etc etc. Service history? Call the dealer who serviced the car to check. IMO £2,800 seems a little high for a CAT C repaired unless it was done by MB and even then its a lot, but as I said I'm not an expert. Also more difficult to sell. Good luck anyway.

 

[Micman]

I'd walk away,

Theres no need to compromise, theres loads of A140's out there and the Classic is the very base model. Shop around for an Avantgarde spec or maybe a bigger engined A160 which isn't so gutless.

 

[growla666]

I agree with the others, avoid and buy (if you really must) a non damaged repaired model. Btw they're aren't that reliable and a c class (W202) would be a far better bet IMHO...I know I've spent loads on my A170cdi keeping it roadworthy

 

[hawk20]

But plenty of others on this forum and the other main one have been very satisfied. I love mine and would not swap for a C class.

 

[aliddle]

From personal experience I would stay away from the A-class: Unless you are wealthy, mechanically minded and have plenty of time on your hands.

 

[jberks]

unless it's considerably cheaper than others then walk away. Cat C means that it was extensively damaged, so this is more than a simple dented wing issue (that would be a cat D). I'd need to know exactly what was repaired, and how, and be saving lots over an equivalent (at least 30%) before I'd even consider it.
Cat D's are fair enough - I've fixed up a few myself, but C's - be wary.