SL/R107: Older SL's VIN?
10-26-2014, 03:44 PM
#1
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Older SL's VIN?
I'm looking to buy a 1976 450SL with 61k miles on the odometer.
How can I verify if the mileage is somewhat accurate? (Service records only up to 2005).
Carfax does not even recognize this VIN 10704412030821
How can I verify if the mileage is somewhat accurate? (Service records only up to 2005).
Carfax does not even recognize this VIN 10704412030821
11-18-2014, 11:17 AM
#2
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1977 450SL & 2014 E350 4-matic
I found very limited info in this are too -
Car Fax is worthless here since the VINs that we know did not come into being until 1981. For pre-1981 cars, the only thing I could find was confirmation that I really won't find out much of anything! http://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/older-vehicles.php
As you probably know that "107044" is the SL roadster and "12" is an automatic transmission. The "030821" is your car's serial/chasis #. So the VIN tells you it's a real R017 but unless there is a carefully tracing history of the service and ownership records, you will pretty much have to do the detective work yourself and make a determination whether the mileage is real or not. 61k on a 1976 is very low and if they are asking big money for it, the lack of complete service records can be a detriment. But these cars should be able to go 250k+ on the engine if properly maintained so as long as the rust issues are okay and the mechanicals are serviced. Mine is a '77 with a non-working odometer saying 109k miles but it has no leaks, starts up easily and all everything works except for the auto antenna and cruise control.
As you probably know that "107044" is the SL roadster and "12" is an automatic transmission. The "030821" is your car's serial/chasis #. So the VIN tells you it's a real R017 but unless there is a carefully tracing history of the service and ownership records, you will pretty much have to do the detective work yourself and make a determination whether the mileage is real or not. 61k on a 1976 is very low and if they are asking big money for it, the lack of complete service records can be a detriment. But these cars should be able to go 250k+ on the engine if properly maintained so as long as the rust issues are okay and the mechanicals are serviced. Mine is a '77 with a non-working odometer saying 109k miles but it has no leaks, starts up easily and all everything works except for the auto antenna and cruise control.
