Hi all, to my e class friends, a bit off topic

quick question.

I’m looking at a late 80’s sl and after speaking with the owner, a non tech older gentleman he mentioned the he knew the car was in an accident prior to his ownership but that potential buyers he has spoken to mentioned it had a salvage title. This was something he was unaware of as his title is clean. I let him know I’d look into because I’d buy this car if it doesn’t have this bad title. I checked three different online resources and none of them showed any title issues or salvage or rebuilt branding. I’m currently sitting at my local tags and title and they are doing a check for me as well.

my question is, is there a resource for older vehicles where the reporting may have happened but it is not digitally accessible? Or is there a service that works better for older classic vehicles?

thank you much

 

in former years... the easy way to wash salvage titles around here was out of state sales...

Salvage in California
Clean in Nevada
Clean once again in California

 

So I had my local tag entitled place do some research and they found it was first titled in 1990 (it’s an 87) which makes me believe that the first owner was a dealer. In a 50 state search, only two titles were ever issued and both were clean. Four different types of sources confirmed this. As of yet if there was an issue, I don’t know how anyone would discover it.

Ive got an appointment to go inspect it. A true barn find from a very nice old guy who had purchased it many years ago. Been stored since.

I bought a car from Illinois that had had its title washed there (clean title when I got it) and that’s what I learned all about which states to avoid when purchasing. Digital databases are much better these days, but not perfect..

changed some details till i go see it

 

Could the other potential buyers have been trying to beat down for a lower price? They may have been slime ***** trying to cheat the old guy. Is it a 450SL?

Have you seen this: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...econo-exotics/

 

Thanks, I have not seen that article.

My first thought was that they were trying to trick the guy. He's very remote, not on tech, and relying on a relative to help sell...who didnt answer my inquiry so I called him directly.

I used Goodcar, Autocheck, Vinhistoryusa all of which cross check the NMVTIS system. I also checked with the local tag and title that did a full mva search as if they would title it. All of those sources listed it clean and clear with records starting from 1/1990 on. Its an 87 560sl, 27k miles. Now, after checking Carfax, it says that is was issued salvage in late 88 at about 8k miles. It listed no airbags deployed and not a total loss which is odd. It was not in area that flooded either, listed as theft, hail, etc. So thats all obviously not the best news, but considering it was in 1988 it still makes me curious what the actual condition of the car is. There is no title record at all before the salvage so it must have been at a dealer.

The car looks immaculate from the pics I saw. The first owner listed from 1990 owned it 14 years, and the person Ive spoken to has owned it just over 21 years. Driven very little and as mentioned previously, has been indoors on an elevated car storage rack for that past 21 years. Only issue mentioned was radio, which is usually due to an internal radio battery issue, and that it may still have original tires. The owner has a health issue where he may no longer drive so he just doesn't need it anymore. From a picture it looks like its worth well over his asking (which could be related to history which I genuinely believe his not knowing or having issues, or also cause this guy likely does not know the current market) but obviously it needs inspection cause im not sure what to think about the history.

Anyone have any extra thoughts?

Edited to add I have also now checked a free database from national insurance crime bureau and It does not list as theft, total loss or salvage. Im going to call the original state where it was titled tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks

 

Another quick update as I continue to dig.

Contacting the state that CarFax said issued the salvage title turned up no history of a salvage title or anything else besides a regular title event. They are willing to write the letter to Carfax to that effect. Amazingly all of these conversations with the state motor vehicle admins have been super quick and easy.

Obviously its all about the inspection. Ive got a paint gauge and anything else needed for inspection but now to figure out if my Mercedes computer connects with this model. Anyone use a Xentry/Das system on one of these older models.

Thanks all

Edited with another reference point.

I had my friendly Mercedes Service advisor run the VMI for me and it came back basically blank. In the instance of a total, at least with new cars, there would be a reference of the warranty becoming void and this did not have that info or any negative findings.

 

Honestly, if your inspection finds no evidence of salvage-type damage and literally all available data shows no signs of salvage... then I'd just scratch it up to a rumor and forget I ever heard it.

 

Thats how I feel but I definitely want a clean carfax if possible because transparently I would look to fix any issues, do all maintenance and flip it in the next few months, as it may be too nice of an example for me. I’m not totally sure since I’ve lusted after one of these since I was a kid in the 80s but the prices have really escalated over the past two years so I have to consider my opportunity cost and that it could live a better life in a conditioned space which I don’t have readily available.

I also kind of think that many times the title history (from 37 years ago vs last week) doesn’t matter on an old vehicle like this (as much) especially as values go up, and people start to restore older vehicles. Condition and mileage speak the loudest to me.

thanks for your input, it’s appreciated.

 

I loved these SL's since Dallas in the 80's.... Bobby Ewing

 

I don't think DAS goes back that far, but before DAS there was HHT (Hand Held Tester). I got a copy with my software from BenzNinja, but I don't know if it uses OBDII interface or some proprietary interface. I have a bunch of cables that came with my Autel scanner from years ago. I'll see if one is labeled for the Mercedes.

 

Here's what I got back from BenzNinja:Now that I look, I got extra cables with my SDS (XENTRY) kit that must be for older cars.

 

Thanks for reaching out Jetta. I also have the kit that has all of those cables but have never used anything but OBD. I remember seeing a video once of the round plug. Ill do some further research and see if there's any videos on YouTube.