technsandiego

I had a friend at the local KIA dealer in Escondido, CA run a CARFAX for me. For the life of me I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. The car has had 2 previous owners. The first owner sold or traded it in after only having it for 7 months. During that time it was driven 6,720 miles and from the report it looks like it was in the dealer for the following:

Owner number 1 owned it for 7 months before selling/trading it in to Mercedes Benz of Escondido.

1) 1,247 mi Instrument Panel Repaired and Washer Fluid Reservoir Replaced.
2) 1,985 mi Console Repaired, Fuel Injector(s) Replaced, Instrument Cluster Replaced/Repaired, Mass Air Flow Sensor Replaced, Rear Ashtray Replaced and Trip Module/Computer Replaced.
3) 4,464 mi Fuel Injector(s) replaced and Mass Air Flow Sensor Replaced.
4) 6,720 mi Brake Pads Replaced, Door Trim Panel Repaired/Replaced, Front Door Adjusted, Power Window Computer/Module Replaced, Wheels Replaced and Window Motor(s) Replaced.The oil and normal service items were performed twice.

Owner number 2 purchased it on 08/01/2003 and drove the **** out of it racking up 25,275 mi in 1 year and 5 months before it was sold/traded in to Mercedes Benz of Escondido.

1) 16,000 mi Vehicle Serviced
2) 16,140 mi Power Steering Hose(s)/Lines Replaced
3) 27,208 mi Blower Motor/Compressor Control Module Replaced and the Washer Fluid Reservoir Replaced. Oil and Filter Changed.
4) 35,920 mi Ashtray Replaced, Console Repaired, Glove Box Replaced, Oil and Filter Changed.
5) 43,561 mi Headlight(s) Replaced and Adjusted, Fan Replaced and the Rear Window Channel was Repaired/Replaced.

Third owner (my little old lady from Pasadena). Purchased the Vehicle from Mercedes Benz of Escondido, CA on 05/28/2005.

1) 07/26/2005 California DMV Accident Reported > $500
2) 116,385 mi Passed CA Smog Inspection
3) 148,905 mi Failed CA Smog Inspection
4) 150,066 mi Failed CA Smog Inspection
5) 150,097 mi Recall #201109001 Performed, Passed CA Smog Inspection
6) 178,074 mi Failed CA Smog Inspection
7) 178,474 mi Failed CA Smog Inspection
8) 179,152 mi Passed CA Smog Inspection

11/06/2012 Changed Service Center to Redhawk Auto Service in Temecula, CA.

1) 183,443 mi Oil and Filter Serviced, Parking Brake Adjusted, Throttle Body Cleaned/Serviced and Wipers Replaced.
2) 206,126 mi DYNO TRANS of Temecula, CA. Oil and Filter Changed, Transmission Serviced.
3) 211,092 mi DYNO TRANS of Temecula, CA. Engine Mounts Replaced
4) 225,622 mi Oil Change and Filter
5) 238,665 mi Oil Change and Filter.

Which leads us to my purchase with 238,665 mi and starring at $2500 in repairs! Should I drive the car until the wheels fall off or spend the $$$ to have it repaired or alternatively sell it for what I paid for it and find another vehicle?

All the Best!
Tech in San Diego