Rust under seats
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
Rust under seats
Hello all,
I have bought a c300 2010 last week.
I took it to a mechanical engineer to check everything in it.
After a long check, he informed me that the car is brand new, screws are MB original, nothing needs to repair or change at all.
It really looks very clean, under the car and behind the engine etc...
Paint is still the original paint too.
Today i was searching for my keys under the seats; I surprised with a little bit of rust there!!
Unfortnately!! I think the car was flooded since 27-05-2016 and we didn't noticed this until today.
The car is perfect no issues in electronics or mechanics at all, all the features are working perfectly.
Please advise, is it a bad sign! will I face issues in future?
Should I sell it?
Thanks in advance
I have bought a c300 2010 last week.
I took it to a mechanical engineer to check everything in it.
After a long check, he informed me that the car is brand new, screws are MB original, nothing needs to repair or change at all.
It really looks very clean, under the car and behind the engine etc...
Paint is still the original paint too.
Today i was searching for my keys under the seats; I surprised with a little bit of rust there!!
Unfortnately!! I think the car was flooded since 27-05-2016 and we didn't noticed this until today.
The car is perfect no issues in electronics or mechanics at all, all the features are working perfectly.
Please advise, is it a bad sign! will I face issues in future?
Should I sell it?
Thanks in advance
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 115
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2007 civic Si 2004 Acura TL 2013 MB C350
how many miles??? and i would also pull the floor matts up and check if they are original or if it looks like it's been replaced... if it was flooded could have been mildly flooded just water got throu the door seal on too the floor... and that's it.. or start checking other screws and such... then take it from there... pull carfax... how many owners ... could have shampooed the carpet and didn't let it dry all the way and some moisture got under the seat... just saying... but yea i would check those few things first then take it from there... let us know... good luck..
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2017
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C300 2010
how many miles??? and i would also pull the floor matts up and check if they are original or if it looks like it's been replaced... if it was flooded could have been mildly flooded just water got throu the door seal on too the floor... and that's it.. or start checking other screws and such... then take it from there... pull carfax... how many owners ... could have shampooed the carpet and didn't let it dry all the way and some moisture got under the seat... just saying... but yea i would check those few things first then take it from there... let us know... good luck..
In advance, thanks alot for your time and info,
Well I will answer your questions one by one to make it clear,
how many miles: 50.333mi - one owner
and i would also pull the floor matts up and check if they are original or if it looks like it's been replaced: 100% original plus nothing is changed in the car at all, screws are still the originial. no water signs to rust no water salt.. nothing.
start checking other screws and such: I checked all the screws especially the hidden ones.
pull carfax... how many owners: carfax is telling that the car was considered as salvage/total loss/flooded since 27/05/2016, means from 1 year and 5 months! but all the info can say that the car WASN'T flooded!! man its very clean! I searched alot and I got its pictures when it was in parking waiting for auction, it doesn't seem that the car was flooded!
could have shampooed the carpet and didn't let it dry all the way and some moisture got under the seat: you are genius! I've never thought of this! it could be an option.
I have take it this week to 3 geniuses in cars, they all told me like you already said, (it could have been mildly flooded just water got throu the door seal on too the floor) and they considered it as salvage to get their money back from insurance.
What do you think? 1 year and 5 months and everything is still working in it, no rust unless a little bit under front seats - do you think 1 year and 5 months are not enough to start making problems?
Last edited by Ysib; Oct 27, 2017 at 05:20 AM.
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
It is really impossible to say what the long term effects could be, if any, if you do not know teh extent of how badly it was flooded. Plus, if it was fresh water that flooded it is a lot better than if it was salt water, which would have a tendency to corrode a lot of things. Don't know what else you could do at this point other than to thoroughly go over the car and look at wire, electrical connectors and the like. If everything looks good, I would think there is a good chance you will be ok if you have driven it this long with everything working and no electrical issues. .
Did you get the car for a very cheap price? I hope so, because if you try and sell it you will take a pretty good financial hit.
Did you get the car for a very cheap price? I hope so, because if you try and sell it you will take a pretty good financial hit.
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
As mentioned, it has been flooded in Texas. Harvey
Ok I will pray to not face issues in future hehehe.. I really liked the car.
No, honestly it wasn't that cheap, but if I sell it now I can gain up to $1000 not more.
I attached some pics above please check them.
Ok I will pray to not face issues in future hehehe.. I really liked the car.
No, honestly it wasn't that cheap, but if I sell it now I can gain up to $1000 not more.
I attached some pics above please check them.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
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C300 2010
As mentioned, it has been flooded in Texas. Harvey
Ok I will pray to not face issues in future hehehe.. I really liked the car.
No, honestly it wasn't that cheap, but if I sell it now I can gain up to $1000 not more.
I attached some pics above please check them.
Ok I will pray to not face issues in future hehehe.. I really liked the car.
No, honestly it wasn't that cheap, but if I sell it now I can gain up to $1000 not more.
I attached some pics above please check them.
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Thread Starter
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C300 2010
It is really impossible to say what the long term effects could be, if any, if you do not know teh extent of how badly it was flooded. Plus, if it was fresh water that flooded it is a lot better than if it was salt water, which would have a tendency to corrode a lot of things. Don't know what else you could do at this point other than to thoroughly go over the car and look at wire, electrical connectors and the like. If everything looks good, I would think there is a good chance you will be ok if you have driven it this long with everything working and no electrical issues. .
Did you get the car for a very cheap price? I hope so, because if you try and sell it you will take a pretty good financial hit.
Did you get the car for a very cheap price? I hope so, because if you try and sell it you will take a pretty good financial hit.
As mentioned, it has been flooded in Texas. Harvey
Ok I will pray to not face issues in future hehehe.. I really liked the car.
No, honestly it wasn't that cheap, but if I sell it now I can gain up to $1000 not more.
I attached some pics above please check them.
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
Unfortunately I bought it without checking its Carfax, my fault
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2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
If you would you sell it would you tell the buyer about it being a salvage vehicle? I know you were not aware when you bought it, but I know I would not feel right if I sold it to someone else without disclosing that. I know the old saying "buyer beware", but.....................
It sounds like you bought the car at an auction. They did not dislose that information at the auction? Seems hard to believe they would not disclose that sort of thing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
If you would you sell it would you tell the buyer about it being a salvage vehicle? I know you were not aware when you bought it, but I know I would not feel right if I sold it to someone else without disclosing that. I know the old saying "buyer beware", but.....................
It sounds like you bought the car at an auction. They did not dislose that information at the auction? Seems hard to believe they would not disclose that sort of thing.
It sounds like you bought the car at an auction. They did not dislose that information at the auction? Seems hard to believe they would not disclose that sort of thing.
Not sure what the laws are in Texas, but in CA a vehicle cannot be sold without disclosing that it is salvaged/has a salvage title.
I find it hard to believe that one should be able to do this in Texas?
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
No way would I ever sell my problems to somebody else, ...... I believe in KARMA and therefore would as well not feel right about doing that.
Not sure what the laws are in Texas, but in CA a vehicle cannot be sold without disclosing that it is salvaged/has a salvage title.
I find it hard to believe that one should be able to do this in Texas?
Not sure what the laws are in Texas, but in CA a vehicle cannot be sold without disclosing that it is salvaged/has a salvage title.
I find it hard to believe that one should be able to do this in Texas?
Yesterday I took it to someone who removed all the seats and carpets, NOTHING AT ALL UNDER THEM. if it was flooded, I don't think after a year and a half the car will still the same!! Fortunately the car is very clean.
I checked everything with experts, electritic, carpets, mecanic, wheels....... all the car hehe.
Thank god I think I am safe.
Super Member
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
Well I live in Lebanon, the car was shipped from TX directly to Lebanon, I bought it from here. And it was my mistake because I bought it before checking its carfax.
Yesterday I took it to someone who removed all the seats and carpets, NOTHING AT ALL UNDER THEM. if it was flooded, I don't think after a year and a half the car will still the same!! Fortunately the car is very clean.
I checked everything with experts, electritic, carpets, mecanic, wheels....... all the car hehe.
Thank god I think I am safe.
Yesterday I took it to someone who removed all the seats and carpets, NOTHING AT ALL UNDER THEM. if it was flooded, I don't think after a year and a half the car will still the same!! Fortunately the car is very clean.
I checked everything with experts, electritic, carpets, mecanic, wheels....... all the car hehe.
Thank god I think I am safe.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 337
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From: Seattle
2016 C300 4MATIC
Wait, you originally said the car was flooded 25/7/2016. Then in another post you said it was 25/7/2017 because of hurricane Harvey. Which year was it? And Harvey didn't occur until the latter part of August 2017, which is only a couple months ago. You keep saying it has been good for a year and a half now. Did the car fax say specifically it was salvaged because of flooding? Could it maybe have been considered a total loss for something else, like accident damage? Have you checked the rest of the car to see if there was eveidence of the car being in an accident or other kinds of repairs?
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From: Kansas City,MO, USA
2015 E350 4 matis, 2003- 911 porsche
Guys . If you are buying a car you look at the tile before you pass on the money and salvage/flood/rebuilt should say it on the title. So you should look at everything, if they did not have it on the title then it should be looked at by a lawyer. All that being said if it is in good condition you should have paid 30-35% less than normal.
John
John
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2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Guys . If you are buying a car you look at the tile before you pass on the money and salvage/flood/rebuilt should say it on the title. So you should look at everything, if they did not have it on the title then it should be looked at by a lawyer. All that being said if it is in good condition you should have paid 30-35% less than normal.
John
John
I agree with all other points you made and one can never check enough.
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
Wait, you originally said the car was flooded 25/7/2016. Then in another post you said it was 25/7/2017 because of hurricane Harvey. Which year was it? And Harvey didn't occur until the latter part of August 2017, which is only a couple months ago. You keep saying it has been good for a year and a half now. Did the car fax say specifically it was salvaged because of flooding? Could it maybe have been considered a total loss for something else, like accident damage? Have you checked the rest of the car to see if there was eveidence of the car being in an accident or other kinds of repairs?
Dates were written by mistake, I think the below can help more, he you go!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 1 - 07/24/2010 (8mi)
05/27/2016 Damage Report TOTAL LOSS VEHICLEVehicle declared a total loss by an insurance company - Flood damage reportedCARFAX began reporting this information on 10/31/2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept.Title or registration issued - to insurance company --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 2 – Purchased: 09/23/2016 (50,333mi)Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX
new owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
FLOOD DAMAGE TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/25/2016
Auto Auction
Flood damage reported - Sold at salvage auction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/17/2016 Vehicle Exporter - Vehicle exported from
Houston, TX - and imported to Beirut, Lebanon
Please check the attached report
Its from Mercedes-Benz, saying that in 25-05-2016 a problem in airbag has been detected and directly in 27-05-2016 the car was reported and listed as salvage by insurance means after 2 days only from detecting the issue by Mercedes-Benz.
Guys I think that was the problem, it wasn't flooded,the airbag problem that caused the car to be reported as salvage, and because MB has mentioned the below in their report:
"according to Takata, in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants"
What do you think?
Last edited by Ysib; Oct 27, 2017 at 08:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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C300 2010
If you would you sell it would you tell the buyer about it being a salvage vehicle? I know you were not aware when you bought it, but I know I would not feel right if I sold it to someone else without disclosing that. I know the old saying "buyer beware", but.....................
It sounds like you bought the car at an auction. They did not dislose that information at the auction? Seems hard to believe they would not disclose that sort of thing.
It sounds like you bought the car at an auction. They did not dislose that information at the auction? Seems hard to believe they would not disclose that sort of thing.
Sure I can't do this man at all! if I want to, I will sell it to someone who can sell it as parts.
Thread Starter
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C300 2010
above in red are the real info.
Last edited by Ysib; Oct 27, 2017 at 08:10 AM.
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C300 sport 2008
Honestly my parents are from Lebanon and we are crazy over Mercedes. No one in Lebanon cares about salvage vehicles, if it runs it drives. There is an increase in poverty there so yeaaaaaa.
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Posts: 848
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
Thanks guys for your help,
Dates were written by mistake, I think the below can help more, he you go!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 1 - 07/24/2010 (8mi)
05/27/2016 Damage Report TOTAL LOSS VEHICLEVehicle declared a total loss by an insurance company - Flood damage reportedCARFAX began reporting this information on 10/31/2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept.Title or registration issued - to insurance company --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 2 – Purchased: 09/23/2016 (50,333mi)Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX
new owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
FLOOD DAMAGE TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/25/2016
Auto Auction
Flood damage reported - Sold at salvage auction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/17/2016 Vehicle Exporter - Vehicle exported from
Houston, TX - and imported to Beirut, Lebanon
Please check the attached report
Its from Mercedes-Benz, saying that in 25-05-2016 a problem in airbag has been detected and directly in 27-05-2016 the car was reported and listed as salvage by insurance means after 2 days only from detecting the issue by Mercedes-Benz.
Guys I think that was the problem, it wasn't flooded,the airbag problem that caused the car to be reported as salvage, and because MB has mentioned the below in their report:
"according to Takata, in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants"
What do you think?
Dates were written by mistake, I think the below can help more, he you go!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 1 - 07/24/2010 (8mi)
05/27/2016 Damage Report TOTAL LOSS VEHICLEVehicle declared a total loss by an insurance company - Flood damage reportedCARFAX began reporting this information on 10/31/2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept.Title or registration issued - to insurance company --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/01/2016
Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner 2 – Purchased: 09/23/2016 (50,333mi)Texas - Motor Vehicle Dept. - Dale, TX
new owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
FLOOD DAMAGE TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/25/2016
Auto Auction
Flood damage reported - Sold at salvage auction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/17/2016 Vehicle Exporter - Vehicle exported from
Houston, TX - and imported to Beirut, Lebanon
Please check the attached report
Its from Mercedes-Benz, saying that in 25-05-2016 a problem in airbag has been detected and directly in 27-05-2016 the car was reported and listed as salvage by insurance means after 2 days only from detecting the issue by Mercedes-Benz.
Guys I think that was the problem, it wasn't flooded,the airbag problem that caused the car to be reported as salvage, and because MB has mentioned the below in their report:
"according to Takata, in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants"
What do you think?
Relax and enjoy and hope for the best.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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Posts: 17
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C300 2010
I think you are misunderstanding the report a bit. The car was declared a total loss by the insurance company in May 2016. Apparently in September 2016 the insurance company was issued a salvage title. The car was then sold to someone by the insurance company. Then that person sold it at an auto auction. The person who bought it at the auction then exported it to Lebonen. The air bag recall has nothing to do with the salvage title. It was just coincidence that that the timing of the recall was right about the time the car got flooded. The good news is that to get a salvage title I believe the car has to show proof that it has been repaired and safe to drive on the road. So, hopefully you will be fine. It was still be helpful to know the circumstances of how badly it was flooded.
Relax and enjoy and hope for the best.
Relax and enjoy and hope for the best.
I am sorry if I am disturbing you, but can you explain more please?
And again, since 1 year and a half, no rust at all in all the car, no water damages, no water signs at all, no bad smells, no electrical issues; u think I am fine?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 848
Likes: 87
From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
I would think you are fine, but there is never a gaurantee of that as you do not know the exact circumstance of the flooding. But I would think if there would be issues they would have shown up by now. Right now there is nothing you can do about it, so relax and enjoy it. If something comes up, deal with it then.
