Would you buy a car with Rust?

[DC77]

I am currently about to start the process of selling my 2001 CLK 320.

I do not have the desired FMBSH to get them repaired by MB and have some rust problems some due to stone chips but most around the wheel arches, front screen pillars.

Question is would you buy a car with rust?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

I have to say it would put me off if obvious, depends on the price though as a buyer I may think ok, its got a little ruct but its £xxx cheaper than another one I've seen to will get it into a body shop have it sorted.


Either that or is it worth you having it looked at before you sell.


How bad is it? any pics..

 

[television]

As above any pics please

 

[PaulMdx]

Question is would you buy a car with rust?

Firstly let me say I'm VERY fussy and also benefit from my father being in the motor industry. In general I would not buy a car with rust, in part because I consider it an indication of how well it's been looked after.

 

[Micman]

I am currently about to start the process of selling my 2001 CLK 320.

I do not have the desired FMBSH to get them repaired by MB and have some rust problems some due to stone chips but most around the wheel arches, front screen pillars.

Question is would you buy a car with rust?

You can probably answer that question yourself!

If you were the potential buyer looking at your car would you be very tempted to buy it with visible bodywork rust? I suspect not. You would be more tempted by a similar car with no visible rust. Therefore you would expect any car you saw with visible rust to have a lower asking price.

 

[DC77]

I will try and post up some pics!

I appreciate what the answer would be; however would it be better to have the rust repaired or will the lower cost and potential loss outweight the costs of rectifying the rust damage.

Must say for a 7 year old so called Luxury branded car it is poor; sold my wifes 2000 Astra a couple of months ago, no rust problems and no problem selling it.

I think selling my CLK will be a different prospect

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


Depends what it costs to put it right? maybe worth getting a quote and seeing what similar cars to yours are fetching?

My theory when seeing rust on a car from the outside, is if thats what you can see whats going on where you cannot see? and it would be me off for that reason. So although the lower cost may attract people it may take you longer to sell? again with out pictures to see what its like hard to comment fully.

In these times a 7 year old 3.2 V6 is not going to be the most wanted car but if the price / spec is right it will sell so good luck.

What are you swapping for? would it be worth getting a PX price, as at the end of the day its the price to change.




I agree the rust issue on Merc is not good and was supprised how bad some models can be.

 

[verytalldave]

It all depends on how much rust and price.
Everything made from a ferrous material has rust unless its kept in a protected environment. ALL cars have rust, even brand new - somewhere.
And the other variable is the price.
And to a lesser extent another factor is where the car lives its life.
When I used to go up to my Aunts in Yarmouth back in the 1960's even cars only a year or two old would display significant areas areas of rust due to the salt laden air and spray. Nowadays cars are better protected and generally dont start showing areas of rusting for many years.
However, I would always rather pay a little more and get a better example. If I was you, I would get the rust sorted BEFORE selling. You will get the cost back and sell it easier. Makes sense.

 

[DC77]

Have decided to move away from Mercedes and I am buying a 2005 Audi A4 from my boss and am getting a good deal so PX is out of the question.

Shall get a quote on the rust and take it from there!

Cheers

 

[jaymanek]

you will certainly put off a lot of the market if rust is present..

 

[DC77]

TBH The car has done 120k and has served me well.. I am prepared to take a hiding on the price..the cars on Autotrader for a similar spec and age are going for around £5-6k and I am prepared to let it go for £4.5k.

It does have a full service history partially MB, a couple by a local garage and the latest a & b by a indie.

The car has the AMG 17" alloys and AMG kit, full leather etc

As I said before Ill get a quote for the rust and make a decision on the repairs following that.

 

[Jensen]

Wo hold on, not so fast.
Even though it does not have full dealer service, as long as it has some full service I understand that this may be covered by Merc. Take it to a merc dealer and complain as your car will benefit from 30 year guarantee, it may well be that you get the rust sorted for free by Merc.
I had this issue on mine registered 1998 and it got sorted.
I'm also suprised nobody else has mentioned this
Good luck

 

[vijilants]

Firstly let me say I'm VERY fussy and also benefit from my father being in the motor industry. In general I would not buy a car with rust, in part because I consider it an indication of how well it's been looked after.

Not really....a lot of the late 1990s models and early 2000 modes had rust issues which had nothing to do with how well the car was looked after.

The problem was due to Mercedes producing an inferior quality car.

 

[joem]

Frankly, I would wisk it down to the local MB dealer ASAP and ask them to look at it - you are just minutes away from the time when they will fix anything to the time when they will fix nothing. I just had my March 2001 W202 estate completely repanneled and resprayed for free. Up to 8 years old it would seem they fix anything - but you have no rights. Just head for your local dealer and hope for the best. Most advice suggests that if that fails head for the next nearest dealer and so on... - I was lucky, Mercedes Leicester fixed my rust at the first opportunity but an 8 year max was mentioned.
Service history was irrelevant - just UK supplied needed to be confirmed - go on, try it....

 

[joem]

Mine BTW had 123,000 miles and a full service history that had not involved an MB dealer for the last 4 years and 70k.

 

[DC77]

Thanks for the replies, I will definately give a few dealers a go!

Any advice on what I should be saying to them?

 

[Pooh_Bear]

On older cars it's not rust it's character.

 

[RedDog]

Thanks for the replies, I will definately give a few dealers a go!

Any advice on what I should be saying to them?

How about......" Fix the ****** thing!":evil:

 

[Rory]

The external rust repairs are being done under Goodwill, nothing to do with warranty.

 

[DC77]

Have spoken to MB @ Chester.

Will be taking my car in next week for an inspection - he did mention about measuring paint thickness and stone chips.

I asked if I need to bring anything he said Log Book if you feel like, didnt ask for service history.

Hopefully will be a positive inspection.