Carfax Blemish
02-05-2018, 02:44 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Carfax Blemish
Hi Folks, looking for a new to me S550 4matic MY 15 or 16. Pricing seems to be all over the place for very similar cars. On a few the only difference is an accident reported on carfax, not a salvage title or damaged frame but rather just an accident. Price swings seem to be 10 to 15K for essentially the same car. I am looking for the best deal on a specifically equipped car so I am looking at very similar cars. Is a carfax blemish really a 10-15K hit on these cars. Not averse to buying a car with a blemish but want to understand what I am getting into.
Thanks.
Thanks.
02-05-2018, 03:18 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
It is bc most wont touch the car. I wouldnt. But Depends on what was damaged and how it was repaired. what does the carfax say? Ps unless that particular car is in the 40's prb not even wrth looking at. what criteria are you looking for? If your looking for a cpo car prices are pretty close.
02-05-2018, 03:21 PM
#3
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Carfax indicates that is was involved in a collision with another vehicle. Price is 52K with 23K miles. Options include Sport package, rear seat package, distronic, warmth package, 118K msrp car.
02-05-2018, 03:56 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
for a 15? Ps I wouldnt touch that. Your better off buying a non crashed 14 thats cpo'd. your not saving anything at 52 its actually a stupid move. That cars gona have limited warty, no provision to extend thru mercedes and none of the cpo benefits like new tires or brakes and prb due for both. Keep looking. I woulnt touch an accident car. Thats penny wise and dollar foolish.
03-05-2018, 08:09 PM
#7
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I ended up getting one with zero carfax issues but it was more about local pricing and deal I got for me to pull the trigger.
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03-06-2018, 01:15 AM
#8
Super Member
Unfortunately Carfax gives no information about the extent of damage. If a vehicle was repaired by a Mercedes dealer, it might be possible for a dealer to get the records and determine the extent of the damage. A minor accident that only scuffed a bumper and broke a tail light should be of little concern vs a major accident that resulted in air bag deployment and structural damage. Only consider a "blemished" vehicle if you can contact the shop that did the repair and see the repair invoice.
03-06-2018, 11:23 AM
#9
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
No offense, but this is nuts! There are SO MANY cars out there that have not been in an accident, it just doesn’t make sense to consider one that has. Just keep looking and I’m sure a very nice, unmolested example will show up. We are talking a very complicated, very expensive car here, not a $1500.00 transportation car for a college student. I would not even consider a car that has had ANY paint work done or any damage that would show up on a CARFAX report. Best of luck to you.
03-06-2018, 12:03 PM
#10
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Agreed and you do pay a premium for this. I could have found my same car with the same MSRP and options for around 4 grand less but it was worth it to have a very low mileage, clean carfax car. The car I traded had been in a few accidents including one where I was rear ended and traded right after that happened. Range Rover hit me hard in my 2012 W221 and it only scratched the bumper of my car but who knows what damage was under the plastic bumper cover. It was reported to Carfax as it had an insurance claim against the accident but the dealer I traded it in at said they would just do a touch up and buff and sell it. Carfax is your friend and I would not buy a car with any history, knowing what I know now.
