What are the pitfalls of buying a "stolen Recovered" Mercedes

[Brian23]

I have seen an undamaged stolen recovered Mercedes. What, if any are the pitfalls that could come back to haunt me later?
Brian

 

[jberks]

its on the register and will command a lower price - but then preesumably its cheaper in the first place. Ensure there was no damage and the keys all match up (they haven't replaced one so you have 2 keys now) and the car drives properly and they haven't off roaded it.
It all dedends on who nicked it. A theft to order or a joy ride.
I'd be very careful but it may be a real worthwhile bargain so worth considering.

 

[television]

Stolen car can be a problem in that they usually do not come with any key, to get one you need to be the owner and you must produce the V5 on ordering. You should also check that the car has not been jump started incorrectly, it can be expensive it it has

 

[Brian23]

Thank you

Hi and thank you for the advice, just one more question. Why does incorrect jumping effect the car?
Brian

 

[television]

It depends on the car, but we have had cars that have been in compounds where the car has been jumped from the wrong place.

The other thing is, if the battery is dead flat and one of the portable type jump starters are used, the voltage can be over 20volts and this blows some delicate components like the ECUs, as the battery being flat can offer no resistance to this

 

[robertjrt]

Flat battery

Is this what happened to my S500? Would a "surge" charge melt the main fuse?

It would seem that if my car is not started daily the ECU's need re-booting, this does not sound right? Is it?

It depends on the car, but we have had cars that have been in compounds where the car has been jumped from the wrong place.

The other thing is, if the battery is dead flat and one of the portable type jump starters are used, the voltage can be over 20volts and this blows some delicate components like the ECUs, as the battery being flat can offer no resistance to this

 

[izy_wizy]

As well as my E320 cdi we have a bmw 750i on the drive, sorry to mention it but hey dad bought it many moons ago! Its a spitting image of the remote controlled one in the james bond movie.

Its used once every two weeks if that. If its not used for about 3/4weeks the big ass battery in the boot goes flat and we have to use our booster pack. Anyway before we had our own booster pack we had to call the aa or BMW breakdown and they would use a booster or the built in cables from the van. Then one day one of the 'mechs' said put the side lights on! Me being inquisitive i asked the question! He said 'it cos the battery is flat and it creates a resistance like the battery would av'

lol bit long winded but i think this is correct?