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Looking to buy a preowned 2020 GLE 350 and came across one that I like but there is VIN sticker damage. Should I be concerned, what could have caused this? Could this be replaced?
Last edited by Mercsuv777; Aug 1, 2023 at 06:48 PM.
Did you mean to upload a different picture because all I see is the tire pressure sticker? Is the VIN badge not visible under the base of the driver's side windshield?
Did you mean to upload a different picture because all I see is the tire pressure sticker? Is the VIN badge not visible under the base of the driver's side windshield?
I meant the tire pressure sticker and not the actual VIN badge.
Just was wondering what u think could have caused that? Just wanted to know if that sticker is easily replaceable.
#1 answer would be a seatbelt that doesn't retract all the way and then owner accidentally closes the door on it.
#2 answer, literally anything.
It's just a sticker. Just make sure to do the normal due diligence like car reports, 3rd party mechanic, ask for a data card (window sticker), vehicle master inquiry, etc. Don't worry about the sticker.
I have seen door jamb damage in general when people slam things in doors, etc. Seat belt, purse strap or something gets caught in door with a buckle or zipper and you get what you are seeing there - it just happens to be on the manufacturer decal. I would not even bother replacing the sticker (I do believe it can be ordered...but it is specific to the car, the dealer would need to do it...) Looking at a CPO GLE, I would look closely at:
1. Center console buttons - do they all work correctly? (our most recent CPO GLE has "sticky" buttons that we noticed after we picked it up - from something spilled on them that was not obvious before we picked it up)
2. Headliner spots / damage in cargo area (common if the previous owner carried anything and not obvious unless you look for it )
3. Chips or cracks in windshield - happens easily and can be easy to miss
4. Ice cold AC - some of the 2020 GLEs had AC issues (mine had them - finally fixed, but took several tries)
5. Latest software update for MBUX - there were several updates for bug fixes and performance improvements - be sure your 2020 had those done
6. Latest camera / collision avoidance software - this was also updated several times while I owned my 2020 - felt like the first year of the platform, they had a lot of things to fix and update, so be sure this has all been done.
You will love the 2020 GLE - I loved mine in spite of the many small fixes it needed and I love my 2021 GLE just as much.
Looking to buy a preowned 2020 GLE 350 and came across one that I like but there is VIN sticker damage. Should I be concerned, what could have caused this? Could this be replaced?
Could be from a previous owner who was not careful in the treatment and maintenance of the vehicle. I have never seen such damage and in decades of vehicle ownership have not damaged the door jamb sticker like that.
It's a red flag. How big of a red flag is for you to decide.
Could be from a previous owner who was not careful in the treatment and maintenance of the vehicle. I have never seen such damage and in decades of vehicle ownership have not damaged the door jamb sticker like that.
It's a red flag. How big of a red flag is for you to decide.
yeah this is what I was worried about , I will be passing on this vehicle. Also this one didn’t have the AMG appearance package that I wanted. Will keep looking, thanks.
Last edited by Mercsuv777; Aug 2, 2023 at 02:18 PM.
yeah this is what I was worried about , I will be passing on this vehicle. Also this one didn’t have the AMG appearance package that I wanted. Will keep looking, thanks.
It's not an unusual scuff. I've seen dozens of similar nicks, and as most have said, it's likely to have been caused by a seat belt clasp.
Hardly a Red Flag.
At least @chassis didn't unload his list of how horrible GLEs are. They aren't horrible, and everything won't fail.
Your comment that it didn't have a package you're looking for is a good reason.
Don't let a scratched label cause you to lose a good one. It's not a new car.
I agree it is not unusual. I've seen actually many used cars that were typically driven by older folks who tends to have the seatbelt twisted right at the opening and the belt is flailing around since it's stuck and won't retract. My W204 (pre-owned) have this exact same scuff. To test it, go ahead and pull the seatbelt out, and line up the buckle against the marks. See if the tongue matches the mark on the green circle and the base lines up perfectly to the red circle:
That one also looks like an early built too (07/2019), what's the mileage on it? If anything it's probably the least discontented GLE out there. Even my 2021 is already discontented to some extent since it no longer has a sport front rotor even though it's an AMG-line.
Could be from a previous owner who was not careful in the treatment and maintenance of the vehicle. I have never seen such damage and in decades of vehicle ownership have not damaged the door jamb sticker like that.
It's a red flag. How big of a red flag is for you to decide.
You should see the scratch my wife created from her ring on the leather dash when she was helping me remove the sunshade from the front windshield. It's going to be a huge red flag for the next owner of my vehicle. 😂
You should see the scratch my wife created from her ring on the leather dash when she was helping me remove the sunshade from the front windshield. It's going to be a huge red flag for the next owner of my vehicle. 😂
Oh you haven't seen my running boards especially on the passenger side! It's so scratched up from being stepped on. Huuuuuuuge red flag for the next owner! What a careless previous owner stepping on running boards to ingress and to load up the roof!
You should see the scratch my wife created from her ring on the leather dash when she was helping me remove the sunshade from the front windshield. It's going to be a huge red flag for the next owner of my vehicle. 😂
Jokes aside, I would actually pass on a car if it had a big scratch across the leather dash lol.
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