Mercedes is a prestigious brand with some of the most advanced luxury vehicles on the market. But is it a good idea to buy a used Mercedes-Benz?
Buying a used Mercedes isn’t a bad idea. Nonetheless, you will have to maintain it properly to enjoy the ride for many years to come. So, if you’re a person who skips scheduled service maintenance, a used Mercedes isn’t for you. A used Mercedes may be expensive to maintain, but it offers comfort and luxury.
Whether used or new, Mercedes still maintains its status of “best or nothing.” Therefore, you can be assured you’re getting a quality, luxurious, and highly engineered car even though it’s used. It is important to check the reliability of the used Mercedes-Benz you intend to buy to avoid having many issues in the future.
Benefits of buying a used Mercedes
Prestige
Mercedes-Benz has been the standard for luxury cars for many decades. The three-pronged emblem doesn’t represent highly engineered cars alone, but as well as status. Most people who drive Mercedes-Benz are seen to be a class above the others. That’s why Benz is loved by managers and CEOs.
So, whether you’re buying a used or new Mercedes model, you will still be regarded with high esteem. Besides, you will be pleased to drive a car with an excellent history and track record of safety, performance, and durability.
Advanced features
Aside from prestige, Mercedes cars come with some of the most sophisticated features on the market. Hence, whether used or not, Mercedes will still have top-notch features that won’t be found in the most recent standard cars. This means you get more than just the prestigious badge.
Some of the high-end features that you will find in Mercedes and not in most mainstream cars include LED illuminating light, walnut wood trim, sunroof, heated seats, power windows, leather seats, PRE-SAFE, and much more. These features make driving Mercedes feel different from ordinary cars.
Comfortable ride
When it comes to offering comfort, a few car brands can compete with Mercedes. Thanks to the top-quality materials that they use to design their interiors. Despite being used, you will find that most Mercedes models are comfortable and cozy.
Lower price
One of the advantages of buying a used Mercedes-Benz is that you get to pay almost half the price of a new Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to their high depreciation value, which is similar to most luxury cars. Note that the E-Class has one of the highest depreciation rates. After 5 years of ownership, this car depreciates by around 67%.
The main reason why Mercedes-Benz depreciates faster is because of leasing. Mercedes leases around 50% of its new cars, meaning that the used car market has lots of used Mercedes models after the lease period of three years. These cars are normally sold at excellent prices.
Good reputation for safety
Another benefit of buying a used Mercedes car over other vehicles is that you get a safe car. Despite being used, Mercedes will still have the top-notch safety features that come standard in its cars. Features like stability control, lane-keeping assist, PRE-SAFE technology, and much more.
Setbacks of buying a used Mercedes
High repair and maintenance costs
Before you spend your hard-earned money on a used Mercedes-Benz, you should be ready to spend to maintain your car. The high-end features and high-tech engineering that Mercedes comes with make it easier to break down. Thus, you should be ready to incur high repair and maintenance costs throughout your ownership.
What’s more, Mercedes require special tools and expertise to handle their cars. Therefore, you cannot take your Mercedes to an ordinary mechanic unless you want to mess with your car. Note that Mercedes-certified mechanics are expensive than regular mechanics.
Unreliable due to the high-end features and latest technology
As stated above, Mercedes-Benz models are fitted with some of the latest and most advanced technology and features. These latest technologies are the ones that make these cars unreliable and they cause a lot of issues. As a result, they drive up the cost of repair and maintenance.
Out of warranty costs
Another danger of buying a used Mercedes-Benz model is lacking a warranty. If you don’t have a Mercedes or dealership warranty, the cost of repair and maintenance may even be higher. So, consider getting a used certified pre-owned Mercedes. These are usually properly inspected and come with warranties.
FAQ
What is the best second-hand Mercedes to buy?
Despite having one of the highest depreciation values among Mercedes models, the E-Class still stands out as the best second-hand Mercedes to buy. This car is extremely reliable and durable. On top of that, it’s comfortable, spacious, and safe.
Is it worth buying a 10-year old Mercedes-Benz?
It depends on the state of the car. If the 10-year-old Mercedes is properly maintained and kept, then it’s worth buying. Also, the model matters as not all Mercedes are reliable. But if the car is in a bad state and poorly maintained or has been involved in lots of accidents, then it’s not worth buying it.
Do Mercedes have a lot of problems?
Yes, they do. Mercedes is among the least reliable car brands on the market. Most Mercedes models develop problems after covering 100,000 miles. However, some models start having issues as early as 70,000 miles. Hence, before you buy a Mercedes, ensure that it has fewer issues or you will live to regret it.
Which one is better – Mercedes or Audi?
If safety, luxury, comfort, and durability are what you’re looking for, Mercedes carries the day. But if you desire excellent handling, reliability, and performance, Audi is the best option. However, all these car brands are expensive to maintain but classy and prestigious.
Conclusion
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz is not a bad idea, provided you maintain it properly. However, maintaining a Mercedes is quite costly, and finding repair parts for some models can be a daunting task. Before you buy a used Benz, find out if it’s reliable and durable.
