I've found a 94 SL500 that I can get for $10,000. It has 165,000 miles but the dealer that is selling it does not have any records (eek). From the photos it looks clean and well-maintained, but lack of records is scary. I contacted the dealer that I believe it was purchased from (judging by license plate frame in photos), but they do not show any record of it being serviced there.

I am going to test drive it tomorrow. What specifically should I look for to see if it's been replaced?

This is significantly under the blue book value for this mileage, which I found to be $16k. Is that enough of a difference to cover what may not have been done in maintenance? My instinct says no, but it's very tempting to take a chance on this one...

Any and all help would be much appreciated.

 

I would be very suspicious of a dealer selling a clean and well-maintained looking $16K car for $10K.

 

That's my thought too, but in doing some research about the dealership that's their M.O...taking high-mileage European cars and selling them for under book. Haven't seen any negative comments about bad vehicles, but I certainly don't want to be an expensive exception.

 

When you test drive it, make sure you get it nice and warmed up to operating temp (about 87 degrees C).

Check the trans for smooth and consistent shifting as much as you can. Uphill, downhill, under load, all options, etc. Smell the fluid on the dipstick--burnt smell is bad, but might just be old fluid, indicating maintenance issues.

When you start the car, make sure all the dash warning lights turn on for a self-test--particularly the CEL.

Listen for noises while stopped and while driving. Listen with the stereo turned off.

Check the A/C for cold air and heater for warm air.

Check the body panels for traces of major body work (alignment). Have a magnet with you to check for bondo. Check the factory weld areas on the body for signs of cutting or welding where a replacement panel may have been installed. The right and left side weld areas should look the same, so look for differences. Body shops don't have factory-type spot welders.

This could be a flood damaged car. The best way to check is to look behind a door panel. Ask if they'll pull one of the panels for you. Look for traces of water damage behind a panel and under the carpets in different areas of the car.

Ask the dealer to see the CarFax report they have on the car. You can bet your behind they have one. Don't buy the car until you see one. You don't want to buy a salvaged car.

 

Lugnut is right. -- Don't buy it if you can't run a CarFax report on it ! This will tell you the car's story.. It will let you know how many owners it's had, if it's been serviced regularly at a dealer, if it's been in any major accidents, if it has a Salvage Title or not, etc.. etc..
Click on the link to check it out --> http://www.CarFax.com

A few more things to check out would be.

When sitting still, shift the transmission from Reverse to Drive and back a few times noting the amount of time it takes for it to engage in reverse. If there's a delay, then the trans will be needing some work in the not too distant future. Also when backing up, open the door and listen carefully for a rattling noise coming from the Transmission, if you hear it, again the trans will need some work.

Also.... Very Important .... Inspect the Engine Wiring Harness VERY CLOSELY... These can get EXPENSIVE to replace ! What you are looking for is the insulation crumbling off the wires, specially in areas where there's high temperatures.

Hope this helps

 

All of the above that were mentioned looked good. No funky welds, everything lined up correctly, transmission shifted quickly and without any funny noises while idling or driving. Did not see any aging electrical work.

Think I'm going to move on it. Everybody keep your fingers crossed for me...and thanks for the advice.

 

Sounds like a sweet deal. Good luck.

 

If a dealer can find and sell a car like that for a profit, I imagine we can too. They must be searching the dealer auctions picking up slow moving inventory at a bargain. I wonder how we can search what is out there.

 

if you are interested i am about to sell my 1999 triple black (xenon/heated seats/17" alloys, etc) with 120K higway miles with all records for somewhere near $16k or so. for what it is worth i am a former mechanic, now doctor who likes to maintain his toys... ps in Arizona

 

if you are interested i am about to sell my 1999 triple black (xenon/heated seats/17" alloys, etc) with 120K higway miles with all records for somewhere near $16k or so. for what it is worth i am a former mechanic, now doctor who likes to maintain his toys... ps in Arizona