1986 300SDL Question
 

Hello,

I found a nice 1986 300SDL that I am considering a purchase on. Now, I ran a carfax on it and it lists it as True Mileage Unknown. Here is a list of the carfax report. Do you guys think this is too risky?

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ALERT! Severe problems (major accidents, fire, flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon history) were reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633). This vehicle does NOT qualify for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee.


CARFAX Talking CarTM
The story of this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
This sedan has had at least one owner. The first title for this sedan was reported to CARFAX by a Washington DMV in 1992.
It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to CARFAX.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
It was issued a Not Actual Mileage title by a Washington DMV. This title is issued when the owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer.
It was not reported to a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON).
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.


Report Summary
1. ACCIDENT CHECK

Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported to DMV
Other Accident Indicators No Accident Indicators Reported
2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK

Truth-In-Mileage Check Odometer Problems Reported to DMV
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found
3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported to DMV
4. OWNERSHIP CHECK

Number of Owners At least 1 Owner
Type of Owners Checked 9 Types of Vehicle Registrations
5. RECALL CHECK
MERCEDES BENZ Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
6. WARRANTY CHECK
No Data Reported to CARFAX
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 8 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED
Tell us what you know about this vehicle







Year/Make/Model: 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL

Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR
Engine: 3.0L L6 TURBO DIESEL
Fuel: DIESEL
Driveline: REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: GERMANY
Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Driver front air bag/passenger side active (manual) belt

Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes


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How safe and reliable is this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL?
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Total Loss Check:


None of the following severe damage events were ever reported by a DMV for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633).

No Salvage Title Reported No Loss Due To Fire Title Reported
No Junk Title Reported No Flood Damage Title Reported
No Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title Reported No Hail Damage Title Reported
No Dismantled Title Reported No Canadian Total Loss Record Reported

Other Accident Indicators:


This 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633) had no accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its sources. This section checks for accidents and/or related damage reported from many public and private sources. Not all accidents are reported to CARFAX. A vehicle inspection completed by your dealer or professional mechanic is recommended.

No Salvage Auction Record Reported No Crash Test Vehicle Record Reported
No Fire Damage Record Reported No Airbag Deployment Record Reported
No Police Accident Record Reported No Damage Disclosure Record Reported


CARFAX depends on public and private sources for its accident data. Each one of these sources has different processing times. CARFAX can only report what is in our database on 04.Apr.2004 01:08:06. New data will result in a change to this report.
Not all accidents are reported to the Police. Tell us if you know of other fender benders, accidents or damage.

Accident Check FAQs:
Accident FAQs | Glossary | CARFAX Help Center





Truth-In-Mileage Check:


ALERT! Major odometer problems were reported by a DMV under the Truth-In-Mileage Act for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633). This vehicle does NOT qualify for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee.

Not Actual Mileage Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer.
Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title - issued by DMV when the owner discloses an odometer rollover.


Odometer Rollback Check:


CARFAX found no odometer rollbacks for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633). Rollbacks reported in this section originate from readings collected by a DMV or other verifiable source.

Mileage Consistency Check:


CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the mileage history of this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633).

Date: Mileage:
05/19/1992 99,999
06/22/1992 64,348
06/22/1992 64,348
06/23/1992 64,348
10/09/1996 64,348
03/30/1998 173,000
03/03/2000 189,000
04/16/2001 64,348



No manufacturer buyback was ever reported by a DMV for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633).


Ownership History:


CARFAX estimates that this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633) had at least 1 owner. CARFAX analyzed this vehicle's title history and other supporting events to identify potential ownership transfers. In compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not collect or report owner names or addresses.

Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
At least 1 owner No data No data

Types of Owners:


This 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633) was checked for 9 types of registrations.

No Personal Use Registration Reported No Fleet Registration Reported
No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial Registration Reported
No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit Registration Reported
No Government Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S. Standards Record Reported
No Taxi Registration Reported

MERCEDES BENZ does not report recall information for specific vehicles to CARFAX.
Go to the CARFAX SAFETY & RELIABILITY REPORT for recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL. You can also contact an authorized dealership or MERCEDES BENZ at 1-800-222-0100 to find out if this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633) still has recalls that require repair.

Recall Check FAQs:
Recall FAQs | Glossary | CARFAX Help Center

Estimated start date of warranty: 05/19/1992
Last reading reported on 04/16/2001: True mileage unknown
Today's Date: April 4, 2004

Type of Coverage: Original Warranty:
Basic No data reported to CARFAX
Drivetrain No data reported to CARFAX
Emissions No data reported to CARFAX
Corrosion No data reported to CARFAX
Transferable No data reported to CARFAX
Roadside Assistance No data reported to CARFAX
Safety belt & inflatable restraint No data reported to CARFAX

CARFAX searched more than 2.7 billion records from over 5,300 sources and found 8 record(s) for this 1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (WDBCB25D1GA241633).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


05/19/1992 99,999 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lacey, WA
Title #861411261292140
NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED

CARFAX AdvisorTM
A NAM title is issued when the owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer to a DMV. The actual mileage of this vehicle is unknown.

Mileage reported after this reading is potentially unreliable.


06/22/1992 64,348 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tacoma, WA
Title #9628241421
Title or registration issued


06/22/1992 64,348 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tacoma, WA
Title #9628241421
NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED


06/23/1992 64,348 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tacoma, WA
Title #921393561692175
NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED
Loan or lien reported


10/09/1996 64,348 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tacoma, WA
Title #921743590296283
NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED


03/30/1998 173,000 Washington
Inspection Station
Tacoma, WA
Passed emissions inspection


03/03/2000 189,000 Washington
Inspection Station
Tacoma, WA
Passed emissions inspection


04/16/2001 64,348 Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tacoma, WA
Title #9628241421
NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE ISSUED



Not Actual Mileage Title
When the seller certifies, under the Truth-in-Mileage Act, that the odometer reading is NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE. This may occur because the disclosed odometer reading was not accurate and verifiable.







Additional Services & Resources:



Any thoughts?
:(

Near as I can tell it's just had the typical Mercedes odometer failure. They make it shound like a bad thing on carfax but really, who cares, it's bot between 100K and 500K, at this point in the car's life it really does not matter unless the seller is trying to get big $$ for it on a low mileage claim.

Carfax, on my 83 300D, failed to report several very notable things, that I know happened because I've known the car's previous owner for a very long time.

I don't have much faith in carfax on older cars.

What's up with the odometer on that car?

Good Question... I'm a little confused as to what the numbers really mean..... ? Anyone?

Hey,

I know the 560 SEL I owned had a replaced speedometer. However, it was never listed as True Milage Unknown, because the dealer who replaced it put a sticker on the door with the milage at which it was replaced. A little math between that number and the new odometer gave you the true milage. I would check for a sticker like that on the door/anywhere else of the car.

Otherwise, I would venture to guess the car had around 200,000 on it. Does the owner have service history? That may be more useful then the true milage, in some aspects.

SDL's are great, no doubt about it... Good luck!

-m

Yes, the owner has the complete service history on the car... The car currently has 206k on it and is in great overall condition. Recent improvements include; new cylinder head, new injectors, rebuilt injection pump, new tires, etc. I know it has had some minor paintwork performed due to a fender bender, but I can't hardly tell where anything happened on it. I guess this isn't a bad thing because the paint is smoke silver and I sure know how it seems to fade and "check" over time. I'll have to check for a sticker, but I keep thinking I should just "go for it".

Oh, I also talked to the owner today and he reassured me that if I have any problems with the car for 6 months, he'll sign a statement or "warranty" where he'll pay to repair the problem(s) if they arise. Wow! I just wonder how much I should rely on Carfax instead of the owner's word and excellent "documented" service history. Any thoughts? :)

Personally, I would look more at service records then CarFax. I basically look to CF for if it's a salvage title or not and if the milage appears reasonable for the condition of the car/service history.

So I guessed about right, the car has about 200,000 on it. That seems reasonable for the age and what CarFax did know about the car. If service history appears in order, which it seems to, I would have it inspected (possibly at the owner's expense as he's so excited to keep paying for the car) and see what happens from there.

It does make me a little nervous the seller is anxious to sign a 6 month warranty. Is this a private party or a dealer? If a private party, I'd have that warranty paper notarized or some other more official authorization. Why is he so anxious to get rid of the car?

-m

invisik,

Thanks for sharing some insight about the "relative" reliability of Carfax. I completely agree with you and I think I'll dig a bit deeper in the repair history before ruling this one out. It is being offered by a private party and I think I may try and schedule an inspection. The owner tells me he is anxious to sell the SDL because he has an E55 AMG on order and scheduled for European delivery in a couple of months.

Sounds good. Inspecting is the way to go, in my opinion. Keep us posted on how it goes!

-m

Marcb,

If those mileage numbers aren't inconsistent, as Carfax says. just what are inconsistent mileage readings?

P E H

I completely agree... I don't really understand why Carfax says it has a TMU title and then thinks the mileage readings are "consistent".... I think it is silly and it makes me wonder how reliable Carfax really is. I've done some further research and believe the car was originally sold as TMU since the odometer was replaced in 1992. For some reason, the selling dealer sold the car and reported the mileage as 99,999. To the best of my research, it really did have the 64k on it and the mileage readings thereafter are correct. I'm not sure why the 64k pops up again in 2001, but I believe the 206k on the car now is correct. Any thoughts PEH? Would you shy away from something like this? I'm afraid the Carfax might make it difficult to resell... Other than the complete service history, records, new head, etc, do you see any real reason I shouldn't buy it? Just looking for opinions from the experts. :)

Am I the only person here who has trouble with this? The owner can afford a brand new E55 and a European vacation, but needs $5,000 or so out of this SDL to get over the hump? :confused:

And if the E55 isn't due for a couple of months, what is he going to drive in the meantime? A rental? Something doesn't compute.

Maybe the owner has another car.

Where else are you going to get a 6 month warranty on a 20 year old car with 200,000 miles? Owner must be sure its good condition to give a warranty .

I'd buy it if I was in the market for one.

P E H

Can someone explain to me who Carfax actually is, and how they would know if some hillbilly (just an example :D )owned the car and rolled back the odometer?

A lot of SDL's I see for sale have between 180k-250k on them, 206k sounds about right. If it has a maintaince history you should be able to track the mileage and get a pretty good idea of how close 206k on the odo is.

Maybe he just wants to get the stinky old diesel out of the garage so the E55 will have room. :D