Another CPO found, but need advice
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Joined: May 2011
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2013 S550, 2009 E320, 2013 ML350 Bluetec
Another CPO found, but need advice
As some of you know already, the 2020 CPO S560 for only 55,495 was clean as a whistle, but had a horrible smell to it, so I passed on it a few days ago. I fell in love with the car and the way it handled. The only one that I can find with same options and added comfort package is 700 miles away, but is a 2019 S560 CPO w/only 21,500 miles. Here are my 2 main concerns. Car was bought and serviced in Brooklyn, NY, but only driven 5k miles per year, so no biggie except I've always been told never to buy cars from Northern Eastern states due to climate conditions. My other MAJOR concern is the car fax states this car was sold to MB of South Orlando on 9-27-23, then on 10-10-23 "Lease vehicle returned to dealer", then car entered as CPO on 2-1-24 which is a long time for a car to be sitting on a lot, then certified. My gut tells me something has to be wrong, but what are your thoughts.... I wish this color combo was easier to find! Thanks for any advice!
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
I dodn't want to say anything but I have to speak up. CPO doesn't mean s...t!!! A good car is a good car. I bought a CPO car in November of 2022. The car spent more than 90 days in service in the first 6 months of ownership. All costs were covered, and I got a chance to drive a bunch of loaner cars, but I bought a CPO car thinking I wouldn't have any problems. I don't want to sound negative, but after my expereince, and hearing the experience of others; I wouldn't put much faith in a CPO from a reliability standpoint. It's insurance, and ratehr good insurance, against problems. But I'd trade reliability for insurance any day. I got rid of my car before my CPO expiration date. Problem is that I put a premium on the CPO and paid around $5K more than I would have without it being a CPO car. I thought I was buying reliability, in addition to a warranty, but I was wrong.
You're doing the right thing by looking at the Carfax report. If you have a relationship with your local dealer you can ask them to run a VMI report and tell you what they see. It's far more comprehensive than the Carfax report. They're under no obligation to show it to you, they probably don't even have to show it to you even if you own the car. My dealer went through the VMI with me on my current car before I bought it.
As far as the specific dates of activity on your car, that's not too bad. They might have traded it in in early October, but might have waitied before moving it along for several reasons. The VMI will tell you if they put a wrench on the car during that time.
You're doing the right thing by looking at the Carfax report. If you have a relationship with your local dealer you can ask them to run a VMI report and tell you what they see. It's far more comprehensive than the Carfax report. They're under no obligation to show it to you, they probably don't even have to show it to you even if you own the car. My dealer went through the VMI with me on my current car before I bought it.
As far as the specific dates of activity on your car, that's not too bad. They might have traded it in in early October, but might have waitied before moving it along for several reasons. The VMI will tell you if they put a wrench on the car during that time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 247
Likes: 27
2013 S550, 2009 E320, 2013 ML350 Bluetec
I didn't do my normal due dilligence like a PPI or extensive test drive. I bought the car out of market, 10 minute test drive and drove it home. It drove great on the 5 hour trip home. And while the car never brokedown and left me stranded, I would have passed had I done a thorough inspection beforehand. I "trusted" the MB CPO program far too much. I take full responsibility for that, but won't make that mistake again.
