Hi, I'm a very novice user here. Just looking around and wow, there are useful information here.

I'm considering to buy 2002 ML320 which is quite reasonable priced. (Market price here in UK is about $3000; ￡2000 for it). It has ran about 75k miles but looks very good. I have checked MOT history and it didn't show up much issues apart from tyres being worn out. Not being a mechanic myself, if I were to see this car, where to check out or what I should be careful about?

I've seen some typical issue with this model but wondering if I can check before buying it even though I feel most of them could be something you can easily spot unless you drive for a certain period of time.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

 

Good for you for wanting to be apart of the w163 community! Some things I personally would check is for any leaks around the engine and transmission. I would also check for oil leaks under the vehicle. And please be sure to ask if the transmission oil has ever been replaced. (although Mercedes mentions the transmission is sealed, its good to change it anyways) And be sure if you can really afford it, many people often see a affordable Mercedes of this time era so please really do more extensive research on maintenance costs so you know the expenses. Thanks and good luck

 

Thank you very much for your advise.

I went to the dealer and had a look, drove it - I found the breaking/accelerating very soft, and also the acceleration pedal is wobbly (moved left/right for about 2cm each!). I asked the guy about this but he told me "All Mercedes are like this" - really?? I though it's actually dangerous if the pedal can move to left/right not up/down. Also the side panel of driver's/passenger's seats broken (though the switches are working) and overall it looked very tired that I though by looking at pictures, I didn't go ahead.

Now I'm looking at a different 4x4 so although MB is still in the range of my preference - will see!

 

I would not do 2002.. I went with '03 as being to earliest

Things to look for - LEAKS! And a 5 minute test drive up to 80mph should reveal most things wrong on the car - vibrations, rattles, clunks, wobbles, etc.

I bought an '03 ml500 couple months ago and like it.