If you are in the market for a new car, there is quite a bit of logic behind considering a used Mercedes as your next purchase. You might get more for the money you pay, but you have to keep the running costs in mind.
The value of a car is determined by many different factors. Market demand, mileage, condition, running costs, maintenance history, and many other factors that all come together to create a tempting offer.
A used high-mileage Mercedes is a purchase worth considering if all of these factors make it as such.
Depreciation
The first reason why you should opt for a high-mileage used Mercedes is the depreciation. Some models like the E-class lose 40-50% of their value in the first three years. Given the fact that the entry price for such an automobile is extremely high, you should use the perks of the depreciation hit and consider buying used.
A three-year-old Mercedes with some miles on the clock hasn’t lost 40-50% of the enjoyment factor, so it makes sense to consider it. Cars are an important investment, and Mercedes cars are fairly hefty on the wallet, so buying used may make it more reasonable.
Mileage
Not all higher-mileage cars are equal. Some have been used in undignified manners on bad roads, driven by bad drivers, or not been properly cared for. You should keep in mind that the number on the odometer only tells half of the story.
It is much more important to figure out how the car was being used. A properly taken cared of 100k-mile Mercedes is a better proposition than a 50k-mile hard-driven one. Also, you should contextualize the mileage with the age of the vehicle.
12,000 miles is widely considered as the average annual mileage most drivers cover. So, let’s say you are in the market for a 5-year-old Mercedes. If the car has more than 60,000 miles on the clock, it is considered a high-mileage example. And, if the number is a lot lower, then it’s considered as a lower mileage vehicle.
Condition
Condition and mileage are usually the two factors that correlate with each other as the car ages. Many buyers would associate higher mileage cars with cars in subpar condition. But in fact, that is far from the truth.
Condition of the vehicle is highly regarded as the number one priority when shopping for a high-mileage car. And for a good reason, especially if the condition is backed by proper maintenance and service records.
Mercedes cars are built to last, so finding one in good condition is definitely worth considering. An accident-free Mercedes model properly taken care of could be a sensible purchase, even if it has a lot of miles on it.
You should spend a lot of time looking for any signs of rough use. Some of which would be the improper alignment of the body panels, rusty screws, inconsistent paint jobs, bent frame rails, and possible subpar cover-ups commonly done on the underbelly of the car.
Servicing, maintenance, pre-purchase inspections
Servicing, maintenance, and pre-purchase inspections are also important factors to look out for.
A full-service history means that the particular car has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Acquiring a car with a full-service history says a lot about the way the car has been taken care of during its lifespan.
Maintenance schedules should be properly followed. Short-term check-ups such as the different filters and tires and larger check-ups such as spark plugs, transmission fluids, and differential lubrication are important when shopping for a used high-mileage Mercedes.
Pre-purchase inspections are a definite must when buying a used high-mileage Mercedes. You should ask the seller if he is willing to do a pre-purchase inspection. If he agrees to it, that on its own is a good sign that the car is in good condition.
You should settle on a legitimately qualified inspector that specializes in Mercedes cars and provide all the necessary information to further prove the legitimacy of the inspection.
More about buying a Mercedes:
FAQs about buying a used Mercedes
Should I buy a higher mileage Mercedes, or a new lower mileage affordable brand?
Buying a new car comes with plenty of benefits including manufacturer warranties, free service packages, and the new car smell. While it is less stressful worrying about the long-term ownership of a new car, you sure do pay for it.
But some would argue the logic behind that. Depreciation is a huge factor to consider when buying a new car. For the amount of money you spend on a new Honda, you might as well buy a higher mileage used Mercedes.
If you follow all the right steps a used Mercedes makes more sense than a newer affordable car. Cheaper brands can never offer the same level of premium experience a Mercedes does.
What is the difference in insuring a used higher mileage car compared to a new one?
A brand-new E-class Mercedes might set you back around $50-60k. Costs of insuring a new car are higher due to the value of the car. So, if your car gets stolen, the insurance company needs to replace a $50 or 60k car, and that’s why it costs more to insure such an automobile.
On the other hand, a newer E-class comes with multiple different safety and anti-theft features that boost the overall safety of the ownership, which in turn works favorably on your insurance premiums.
An average 2010 E-class asking price is around $15k. Costs for insuring a used Mercedes are lower, considering the car’s value. So, if your used E-class gets stolen, your insurance company needs to replace a cheaper car, and the premiums are lower as a consequence.
What are the pros and cons of buying a used higher mileage Mercedes?
First of all, a used car saves you money when buying, but it does cost a lot more to run due to the lack of warranty and service packages. A used car also comes free of many different kinds of additional fees associated with a new car purchase, such as import taxes, dealer preparations, or shipping.
Certified pre-owned programs offered on many different Mercedes used cars offer you a thoroughly inspected quality product, but they don’t offer the same amount of coverage a new Mercedes gets. Registration fees tend to be cheaper on a cheaper car, and the same goes for insurance premiums.
Service and warranty programs are not included when buying from a private seller. Also, you should keep in mind that some new Mercedes cars are being sold over the sticker price due to higher demand.
The most important benefit of buying used is the lack of a colossal depreciation hit. That’s a smarter investment in the long run as Mercedes cars to be priced fairly high.
You may not be able to choose the different options on your used car purchase. But the sheer number of different offerings will ensure you have plenty of resources to come as close as possible to buying an example tailored to your needs and wants.
