I didn't mean to speak in absolutes, however...

I think it would be an amazing coincidence if the variety of used cars for sale at a lot reflects the variety of cars traded in. I still think the used car offering reflects what prospective buyers ask to see, and the proportion of trade ins just won't support that (e.g., lots of SUVs traded in when gas prices are high). I imagine there's an abundance of trade ins to choose from in the industry overall otherwise there wouldn't be dedicated used car lots. But I'd be surprised if half the used cars at any given MB lot are direct trades.

I expect this is particularly true within dealer chains. Cars returned to the Putnam group in the SF Bay Area or the Ellis group in SoCal probably stay within the chain but not at the recieving dealership. Again, a matter of statistics.

The other thing that doesn't connect with me is lease returns. How many leases are financed by the dealership? My guess is not enough to account for all lease returns on offer. If a dealership has to buy lease returns to offer, why be limited to the cars returned to their lot? I imagine manufacturers give their dealerships first crack at regional lease returns. Not too expensive to shuttle cars within a 50 mile radius.

Of course I defer to those with first hand knowledge. I'm just putting uneducated ideas to see what folks have to say.

And my contribution to the thread - unless you're buying a Starmark car, buy an MB from any dealership that treats as you deserve to be treated and can convince you that they've thoroughly inspected the car.

Has anyone asked an MB dealership to do a PPI on a used MB on their lot? Outside of Starmark cars, I mean.

Sixto
93 300SD