SL/R231: Double checking millage
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Canada
2013 SL 550 R231
Double checking millage
Hello all,
I am thinking of changing my 2013 R231 for a more recent model like a 2016 or 17.
Some that I am looking at have very low millage that makes me want to know more. I know that there are tools on the Web that can stop or change
the real millage of the vehicle.
Besides dealer records, Carfax and others, can anyone tell me how I can verify the car’s true millage other than the odometer.
I know that certain ECU’s register time or millage either on the engine or transmission.
How can I access them, can It be done with a ODB2 scanner or a specialised ODB2 or does anyone have a suggestion.
Thanks for your help
SLDoug
I am thinking of changing my 2013 R231 for a more recent model like a 2016 or 17.
Some that I am looking at have very low millage that makes me want to know more. I know that there are tools on the Web that can stop or change
the real millage of the vehicle.
Besides dealer records, Carfax and others, can anyone tell me how I can verify the car’s true millage other than the odometer.
I know that certain ECU’s register time or millage either on the engine or transmission.
How can I access them, can It be done with a ODB2 scanner or a specialised ODB2 or does anyone have a suggestion.
Thanks for your help
SLDoug
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 931
Likes: 371
From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
Low mileage on a SL shouldn't be all that surprising. Most of these cars were sold to older customers, many of which have multi-car collections.
I have seen plenty of 6+ year old cars with only triple digit mileage.
I would be much more inclined to hear the story of a 150k+ mile SL.
I have seen plenty of 6+ year old cars with only triple digit mileage.
I would be much more inclined to hear the story of a 150k+ mile SL.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Canada
2013 SL 550 R231
Thank you for your reply and comment about “older” people ha ha
I guess I am what you called an older people in the 7+
As you know, the SL, no mather the year is a pleasure and a treat to drive.
My SL, a 2013 R231 can only be used for about 5 months per year because of our winters and it does not go out when it rains and same story for my previous 2007 SL550 yet I put on about 12,000km per year on it.
My preoccupation is the ones I see advertised IE. Auto Trader with multiple units in the 2013-14-15 with 13 to 15,000 km. I even saw a 2007 R230 with 5000 miles on it.
So, my question still stands regarding checking the millage other than on the odometer.
With 2,220,000 Google inquiries for “Millage Stoppers” alone, I feel that this subject seems to interest a lot of people and double checking should be important because the last buyer is the one holding the bag if something is wrong.
Best regards again,
SLDoug
I guess I am what you called an older people in the 7+
As you know, the SL, no mather the year is a pleasure and a treat to drive.
My SL, a 2013 R231 can only be used for about 5 months per year because of our winters and it does not go out when it rains and same story for my previous 2007 SL550 yet I put on about 12,000km per year on it.
My preoccupation is the ones I see advertised IE. Auto Trader with multiple units in the 2013-14-15 with 13 to 15,000 km. I even saw a 2007 R230 with 5000 miles on it.
So, my question still stands regarding checking the millage other than on the odometer.
With 2,220,000 Google inquiries for “Millage Stoppers” alone, I feel that this subject seems to interest a lot of people and double checking should be important because the last buyer is the one holding the bag if something is wrong.
Best regards again,
SLDoug
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 931
Likes: 371
From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
Thank you for your reply and comment about “older” people ha ha
I guess I am what you called an older people in the 7+
As you know, the SL, no mather the year is a pleasure and a treat to drive.
My SL, a 2013 R231 can only be used for about 5 months per year because of our winters and it does not go out when it rains and same story for my previous 2007 SL550 yet I put on about 12,000km per year on it.
My preoccupation is the ones I see advertised IE. Auto Trader with multiple units in the 2013-14-15 with 13 to 15,000 km. I even saw a 2007 R230 with 5000 miles on it.
So, my question still stands regarding checking the millage other than on the odometer.
With 2,220,000 Google inquiries for “Millage Stoppers” alone, I feel that this subject seems to interest a lot of people and double checking should be important because the last buyer is the one holding the bag if something is wrong.
Best regards again,
SLDoug
I guess I am what you called an older people in the 7+
As you know, the SL, no mather the year is a pleasure and a treat to drive.
My SL, a 2013 R231 can only be used for about 5 months per year because of our winters and it does not go out when it rains and same story for my previous 2007 SL550 yet I put on about 12,000km per year on it.
My preoccupation is the ones I see advertised IE. Auto Trader with multiple units in the 2013-14-15 with 13 to 15,000 km. I even saw a 2007 R230 with 5000 miles on it.
So, my question still stands regarding checking the millage other than on the odometer.
With 2,220,000 Google inquiries for “Millage Stoppers” alone, I feel that this subject seems to interest a lot of people and double checking should be important because the last buyer is the one holding the bag if something is wrong.
Best regards again,
SLDoug
As to your original question, I would think putting a scanner on the car may show if anything had been tampered with.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,544
Likes: 3,674
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
While some of these mileage stopper programs maybe popular in some other countries I would expect a zero chance to see this on SL's, primarily due to clientele (as mentioned) and because it's a federal crime to falsify odometers (up to 3 years in prison).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Canada
2013 SL 550 R231
Hello Wolfman,
Good point but still, is there another module tracking the millage that I can check with a ODB2 while looking if the car has open fault messages
thanks
best regards
Good point but still, is there another module tracking the millage that I can check with a ODB2 while looking if the car has open fault messages
thanks
best regards
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 231
From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Agreed.
I also think the service paper trail should match with vehicles odometer. Since the majority of SL owners are "older" like myself we are more inclined to see the value in the SL and maintaining it properly. Any SL listed with only 10k miles wouldn't be a problem if one owner, but if the car shows 7 owners with only 10k miles on a 4 year old car I would be alarmed and would start to dig deeper. Why wasn't anyone driving this car? Why so many owners in a short time? Maybe transferred from dealer to dealer via auction sale? Registration records would show that.
The cars records show
1st service oil change at 3k
2nd service (A) 15k
3rd service (B) service 25k
4th service oil change 30k
5th service oil change (((((((((5k)))))))))) Flag, flag
6th service A service 10k etc. etc. Flag, flag
I am making up service visits and timelines, but you guys get the point.
By the way, I have mentioned in other posts that when you purchase the Mercedes always call the 800 customer service number and provide your vin to confirm that you are listed as the owner. Their records should match, but they can update over the phone if not. They can also go over Mbrace options, etc. Also check with them for recalls, etc. They gladly tell you this info over the phone.
I also think the service paper trail should match with vehicles odometer. Since the majority of SL owners are "older" like myself we are more inclined to see the value in the SL and maintaining it properly. Any SL listed with only 10k miles wouldn't be a problem if one owner, but if the car shows 7 owners with only 10k miles on a 4 year old car I would be alarmed and would start to dig deeper. Why wasn't anyone driving this car? Why so many owners in a short time? Maybe transferred from dealer to dealer via auction sale? Registration records would show that.
The cars records show
1st service oil change at 3k
2nd service (A) 15k
3rd service (B) service 25k
4th service oil change 30k
5th service oil change (((((((((5k)))))))))) Flag, flag
6th service A service 10k etc. etc. Flag, flag
I am making up service visits and timelines, but you guys get the point.
By the way, I have mentioned in other posts that when you purchase the Mercedes always call the 800 customer service number and provide your vin to confirm that you are listed as the owner. Their records should match, but they can update over the phone if not. They can also go over Mbrace options, etc. Also check with them for recalls, etc. They gladly tell you this info over the phone.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 475
Likes: 157
From: Philadelphia area
2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
Hello all,
I am thinking of changing my 2013 R231 for a more recent model like a 2016 or 17.
Some that I am looking at have very low millage that makes me want to know more. I know that there are tools on the Web that can stop or change
the real millage of the vehicle.
Besides dealer records, Carfax and others, can anyone tell me how I can verify the car’s true millage other than the odometer.
I know that certain ECU’s register time or millage either on the engine or transmission.
How can I access them, can It be done with a ODB2 scanner or a specialised ODB2 or does anyone have a suggestion.
Thanks for your help
SLDoug
I am thinking of changing my 2013 R231 for a more recent model like a 2016 or 17.
Some that I am looking at have very low millage that makes me want to know more. I know that there are tools on the Web that can stop or change
the real millage of the vehicle.
Besides dealer records, Carfax and others, can anyone tell me how I can verify the car’s true millage other than the odometer.
I know that certain ECU’s register time or millage either on the engine or transmission.
How can I access them, can It be done with a ODB2 scanner or a specialised ODB2 or does anyone have a suggestion.
Thanks for your help
SLDoug
I spent a fair amount of time going over the VMI that I got from the local MB dealer and the Carfax records and could find nothing inconsistent. I had a consult with the shop supervisor at the MB dealer and he suggested looking for physical discrepancies. Interior wear in this case isn't likely to be obvious because, if it was rolled back, it was only 20K. But one item that can give it away is the tires. The record showed a fairly recent tire replacement and the tires had good tread. With 20K extra miles there would be an extra tire replacement in there somewhere. But a check of the date codes showed that they were consistent with the recorded time of the tire replacement.
My conclusion from all this was that the ignition module was probably replaced with a used one. I'll never know for certain and it still bugs me, but the car has been great so far.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
More importantly, make sure all maintenance is up to date. If you want to play it safe, add 20k miles to what your odometer is showing. Not sure how many miles you have now, but I imagine you are approaching a tranny service. Be sure to know the mileage AND age limits for your maintenance items. A lot of people overlook the recommended 7-year interval for the transmission because they have low mileage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 738
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Some are better than others, and it’s quite possible the ignition module can’t be blocked without hindering proper operation.
(if the car runs well, and checks out OK, then that is what’s more important. What’s that saying, about a bird in the hand….)
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; Jul 10, 2024 at 02:45 PM.
