Mercedes 190D Value

[evafield]

I have a 1984 190D in excellent condition, well maintained and just over 100,000 miles. I just had it at the shop a month ago and got a clean bill of health. I was rear ended yesterday and the other guys insurance company is trying to claim my car is a total loss and only worth $2,500. I feel like this is absolutely ridiculous. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the actual value of a car like mine is? Or how to go about fighting the insurance company on this? Because it is just over 30 years old I am having troubles finding an accurate value, I've gotten responses ranging from $5,000 to $38,000. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!

[MagicBus]

Insurance companies are the worst, especially in situations like this. Are you dealing directly with the other person's insurance company, or with your own insurance company (who are, in turn, dealing directly with the other person's insurance company on your behalf)?

Can you ask your insurance company for advice?

In terms of establishing a value on your own, start with the NADA guide:
1984 Mercedes-Benz 190D 4 Door Sedan Value, Prices & Specs | NADAguides | NADA 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190D Book Value & 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190D Market Price

Also, search eBay for recently-sold examples:
mercedes 190d | eBay

Autotrader:
Used Mercedes-Benz 190D Vehicles for Sale in Worcester, MA 01604 - Autotrader

Cars.com:
Used 1984 Mercedes-Benz - in 01604 Area - on Cars.com

I'm sure there are other ways to corral numbers, but that's the best I can come up with. Best of luck.

[MagicBus]

Also:
https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vbe=69885

[Maxbumpo]

$2500 sounds too low to me for a nice 190D with low miles, especially if the body is good and the interior has held up. Find examples of similar cars that have actually sold, and send them to the insurance company (eBay, this site, other MB sites). Bombard them with info that supports your side. Find similar cars that are actually for sale, and include those.

The longer you hold out, the more likely the ins.co. is to give you a fair value. Their first offer is usually a low-ball to get you to settle quickly at a low price. If you feel like they are not treating you right, call your state's insurance commissioner's office for help. That office may be part of the state attorney general or some other state office. They are the "big stick" that is supposed to help you, the little guy, stand up to the insurance co. I used them once in the past and they immediately got the attention of the insurance co. and got them to deal with me fairly.

[Maxbumpo]

Here are examples of 190D sales on this forum:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=190D&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peachparts.com%2Fshopforum%2Fmercedes-cars-sale%2F&as_occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=

[vtmbz]

The worst is that they are getting scarce in good rust free condition.


I have my 85 in vgc insured bY farmers for 7600 as excellent daily driver. That feels about right to me.

[Mimzer]

Looks like you need to find several examples of similar cars selling for a high price. Cherry-pick the more expensive ones, since the insurance company is certainly choosing the least expensive examples. Hammer out a price somewhere in the middle that's reasonable.

"The best way to get more money out of an auto claims adjuster is to challenge the evaluation report. Take a look at the vehicles they used as comparables."
Confessions of an Auto Claims Adjuster

[evafield]

Thank you everyone. I sent the adjuster a couple dozen examples of similar vehicles currently for sale. Most of them have far more miles than my car and rust, dings, dents, etc. and are still selling for far, far more than he claims it is worth. I think they saw a young girl and figured I would back down easily. I'll hold out as long as it takes to get what my car it worth. I appreciate the advice.