Buying a used SL in Canada? Advice needed.

[Philip J]

I am buying a used car privatly, what should I be doing to avoid possible fraud? Is there a Canadian car fax? Any help would be appriciated! Thanks Philip 87 650sl 45k

[whunter]

from General, to best guess "SL" forum.

I was forced to assume the car you are buying is an SL.

[dugald]

Originally Posted by whunter

I was forced to assume the car you are buying is an SL.

That may not be so. He already has one.
Meanwhile, where in Canada is the OP?

[DanielG]

according to the Carfax web page they cover Canadian cars (they receive data from the provincial offices concerning registration and the like). As noted many times in these forums have car independently inspected; ask the owner for any files or records concerning the car that he/she has; check with your local MB dealership -- the car may have a service history that you can review; make sure you don't pay without having a clear title in hand (if there is doubt have the title checked with your department of motor vehicles)

[Graham]

Originally Posted by DanielG

according to the Carfax web page they cover Canadian cars (they receive data from the provincial offices concerning registration and the like). As noted many times in these forums have car independently inspected; ask the owner for any files or records concerning the car that he/she has; check with your local MB dealership -- the car may have a service history that you can review; make sure you don't pay without having a clear title in hand (if there is doubt have the title checked with your department of motor vehicles)

Carfax had some bad press recently on CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/vehicle_history_reports/main.html

Don't know about other provinces, but in Ontario seller must provide you with a Used Vehicle Information Package. This gives the history of the car, but unfortunately it doesn't work too well for older cars especially those brought into Ontario from other provinces.

Mercedes Benz of Canada is probably your best check. If the car originally sold in Canada, they should have a record of it's ownership. I would only buy a car that has a maintenance record - The service book should show original owner's name plus the dealers that car was serviced by and document all work done on the car. Most owners would also be able to provide invoices for subsequent work done even if it was done by independent shops. Dealers are reluctant to provide too much information to individuals but I would try them anyway.

Here is the Ontario checklist for used car buyers:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.shtml#buying

Good Luck!

PS: Let us know which province you are in.

[Philip J]

Thanks for the replys guys, I did this post on the weekend when I could not find a co. on the internet that could decode the VIN. Today I went to a mto office and had the job done. I pick up my new to me 87 porsche 911 cabrolet in Toronto tomorrow. Yes I have a 560 sl, love it, I was wanting to import a sl 600 from the states, but the info I gathered about the daytime running light conversion at the Mb dealer turned me off for now. The vech. information package which I picked up at mto setteled all my doubts about the authenticy of the seller of the car. So far all has worked out well thanks again Philip 87 560 sl 45k 87 911 82k