Prior Salvage on Used Cars - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graplr · #1 08-27-2011, 05:54 PM

I'm looking for a car for my wife. I found a lower mileage E430. Everything works great and it is in great shape. It has a salvage title. The car drove great and I looked at everything. I couldn't find where any work was done so it seems to be a good job. I'm going to run the VIN to learn more. The brother of the owner was showing it since the owner is a truck driver and was out of town so he didn't know much about the salvage title other than it happened before they got it.

Anything specific I should think about or look at since it is a salvage vehicle?

JohnM. · #2 08-27-2011, 06:04 PM

The CarFax should tell you exactly where it was hit and the damage incurred. That will give you a better idea of where to look more closely. If was enough to damage the frame...walk away. Although it takes a LOT to do that on these Benz's.

tbomachines · #3 08-27-2011, 06:05 PM

Depends on what kind of salvage/reconstruction it was issued. Could have been a theft (no real harm, just get a PPI to make sure it wasn't hardcore chopped), flood (RUN), accident (PPI again, factor into price), or even hail damage. Moral of story: PPI. A salvage title doesn't necessarily mean a bad car, my 300E was a theft recovery salvage and its been fine.

Hatterasguy · #4 08-27-2011, 06:07 PM

My sisters Sentra has a salvage title for some rear end damage. Selling dealer took pictures of the damage and it really was minor, amounted to a trunk lid, bumper, and lights. The only thing we can figure out is the owner was friendly with an adjuster and wanted it totaled. Dealer had another Sentra on the lot that was damaged to bad to be fixed and swapped out the rear parts and had it painted.

The trunk floor and the metal underneath is virgin, so the rear crumple zone wasn't even pushed in!

sjh · #5 08-27-2011, 06:30 PM

Salvage title will be a detriment when you go to sell.

Expect at least a 30% hit upon selling.

spdrun · #6 08-27-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjh

Salvage title will be a detriment when you go to sell.

Expect at least a 30% hit upon selling.

But you also will have bought it for 30%+ less if you were smart.

sjh · #7 08-27-2011, 06:40 PM

Sure, but beware the discount is present at both ends.

MTI · #8 08-27-2011, 06:40 PM

You'll save money on insurance, since it won't qualify for collision coverage.

Graplr · #9 08-27-2011, 08:57 PM

The report says front impact with another vehicle, 14 months and 15k miles ago. They bought it at an auction just after the car was salvaged (the work was already done). I did notice a new Nissens radiator. The headlights are also new. They don't look OEM. It has been serviced at the local stealer it's entire life. He is asking about 25% below private party kbb. I think he is asking too much since it has the salvage title. I realized the headlamp washers don't work. I'm sure due to the accident now that I know it was front impact. I'll attach a pic from the computer. I can't do it from my phone.

I'll have to inspect the front more now that I know it was a front impact.

One of the most important things for being a MN car is absolutely no rust anywhere.

Graplr · #10 08-27-2011, 09:23 PM

The pic...

Aquaticedge · #11 08-27-2011, 09:26 PM

It looks like a nice car, the repair looks like it was done right atleast, I would talk with the owner to see if they know anything about the accident. Offer what you think it's worth. all they can say is yes or no.

Graplr · #12 08-27-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticedge

It looks like a nice car, the repair looks like it was done right atleast, I would talk with the owner to see if they know anything about the accident. Offer what you think it's worth. all they can say is yes or no.

Well actually they can say HELL NO and yell at you for offending them.

But I'm not too worried if that were to happen to me.

One red flag is the owner did not disclose the prior salvage in the ad or on the phone conversation. To his credit, he is foreign and the ad showed this as the ad was jumbled and I did not deal directly with the owner today (he is a truck driver and was out of town). His brother showed it to me and it wasn't until I inspected the title did I notice the salvage. The brother knew quite a bit. The owner did not lie about anything I asked him nor did the brother so I doubt he was trying to hide the salvage since it is in huge bold letters on the title.

The Swede · #13 08-27-2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

The pic...

Looks familiar, iirc CL.

I'd do a PPI (including bodywork).

Graplr · #14 08-27-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

Looks familiar, iirc CL.

I'd do a PPI (including bodywork).

The pic is my own from my phone. I'll feel out the situation some more and if he is willing to sell it for less. My guess is yes. Then I will put a PPI into play.

The Swede · #15 08-27-2011, 10:19 PM

There was a gold E430 on CL, might have been Anoka. 4Matic