SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: service history absence in SL 63

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Old Nov 30, 2024 | 01:21 PM
  #1  
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service history absence in SL 63

Hello everyone,

I'm considering buying 2014. SL 63. The car I'm looking at has 47 000 km, condition is visually almost brand new.

What I am concerned about is his service history. There is no service noted in digital service book, for a period from 2015. (13.230 km) up to 2020. (39 840 km). Car was first registered in Russia, and has had few services there in 2015, and they are all noted. After 2015, no service was detected, and car was registered in Czech Republic in 2018, but only passed technical inspection for registration, no service info whatsoever up until 2020.

Other than that, kilometers and accident report are all good on car vertical.

Is it possible that someone would not service their brand new car worth over 200 000 Eur, or serviced it at independent workshop, while the car is under warranty?

I doubt that car dealers in Russia or Czech Republic wouldn't have noted in service book that service was done...

Would you consider this car taking all this into account? Has anyone had this kind of situation? What could be the explanation to this service absence for so long?

Best regards!
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Old Nov 30, 2024 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Torrente
Hello everyone,

I'm considering buying 2014. SL 63. The car I'm looking at has 47 000 km, condition is visually almost brand new.

What I am concerned about is his service history. There is no service noted in digital service book, for a period from 2015. (13.230 km) up to 2020. (39 840 km). Car was first registered in Russia, and has had few services there in 2015, and they are all noted. After 2015, no service was detected, and car was registered in Czech Republic in 2018, but only passed technical inspection for registration, no service info whatsoever up until 2020.

Other than that, kilometers and accident report are all good on car vertical.

Is it possible that someone would not service their brand new car worth over 200 000 Eur, or serviced it at independent workshop, while the car is under warranty?

I doubt that car dealers in Russia or Czech Republic wouldn't have noted in service book that service was done...

Would you consider this car taking all this into account? Has anyone had this kind of situation? What could be the explanation to this service absence for so long?

Best regards!
Ask for a vehicle master inquiry (VMI.) and get a pre-purchase inspection.
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Old Nov 30, 2024 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Ask for a vehicle master inquiry (VMI.)
and get a pre-purchase inspection.
☝️
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Old Nov 30, 2024 | 05:27 PM
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Yes, get a reputable MB tech to perform the PPI and not in Russia, LOL.
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Old Dec 1, 2024 | 09:41 AM
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I wanted to perform PPI and engine compression test, but dealer refused to, he said it is a waste of time (???) for him.

So now I'm left with great looking car and good price, and no service history for 5 years.

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Old Dec 1, 2024 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Torrente
I wanted to perform PPI and engine compression test, but dealer refused to, he said it is a waste of time (???) for him.

So now I'm left with great looking car and good price, and no service history for 5 years.
That is a red flag, if they are not willing to perform it or let you bring it to another MB dealership to perform it, they are hiding something.
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Old Dec 1, 2024 | 09:56 AM
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Yes, my toughts exactly.

I just don't know how it is possible not to have service history for 5 years on a high end car that is under warranty at the time.
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Old Dec 1, 2024 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Torrente
Yes, my toughts exactly.

I just don't know how it is possible not to have service history for 5 years on a high end car that is under warranty at the time.
Recommend looking for another one.
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Old Dec 2, 2024 | 10:27 AM
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Very sketchy. I'd very seriously consider the possibility of the car being clocked back.
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Old Dec 2, 2024 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Torrente
I just don't know how it is possible not to have service history for 5 years on a high end car that is under warranty at the time.
Best-case scenario is that it was owned by a competent / experienced enthusiast who either serviced it themselves or at a trusted independent shop.

Realistically, however, who knows. The fact that the dealer is refusing a PPI is the bigger red flag here by far.

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