Buying a Used Mercedes-Benz—A Beginner’s Guide
Giancarlo Perlas September 16, 2016
There’s nothing like driving a brand new Mercedes-Benz. To feel the precise mechanical engineering work on the road for the first time is a true privilege. But Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts don’t just crave the new and shiny. Benz drivers often have preferences that stretch back to vehicles from Mercedes-Benz’ entire 90 year history. If you’re looking for a vintage model, it’s important to know some of the basics to getting the best car at the best price. These are complex machines with equally complex histories. Taking the time to find the best vehicle for you will pay off for years and decades. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make Ownership and Accident History a Priority. Any driver of a luxury vehicle, who is worth his or her salt, will have owner and accident records for their vehicle. Hopefully, they will both be refreshingly brief. It’s important that you understand the potential vulnerabilities that a used vehicle carries beneath the hood. If shoddy repairs have been performed on the vehicle previously, it’s important that you be able to isolate those at inspection. Detailed histories help in this regard, and help you make sure you’re getting the right price.
- Know the Model Inside and Out. Each Mercedes-Benz model is a massive engineering feat. Each one presents its own quirks and qualities, and it’s important that you understand what those are before buying. It’s best not to have to rely overly much on the expertise of others when evaluating a used vehicle. Finding a Used Mercedes-Benz for Sale is easy enough, but having an expert’s eye takes some research and experience. You’ll be able to negotiate the best price if you truly know what you are looking at.
- Look Everywhere For Vehicles. If you are looking for a specific vintage unit, you may not have a tremendous amount of options available to you. It’s best to look everywhere cars are sold. Don’t limit yourself to dealers, where prices will be high and selection may be low. By opening yourself up to private sales, even ones far away from where you live, you will be able to find the best vehicle, and may even find an incredible deal!
- Be Prepared to Negotiate. Any financial advisor will tell you the importance of negotiation in the buying of an expensive vehicle. Thinking about the process from the seller’s perspective will help. The seller likely does not have a lot of potential buyers beating down the door. While the seller will know how much the car is worth, there is also the question of how much money they need at the moment. Cash is king. Making a low ball offer could score you an amazing deal.
There are so many Mercedes-Benzes out on the roadways today, it can be hard to resist buying one, if you are even remotely in the market. Waiting for the best option is the way to save. The above methods can help you find the perfect car for your needs and desires. Take the time to find it and you’ll be glad for many years to come.
