I'm looking at a used 2004 CLK500 with 43,069 stated miles, VIN WDBTJ75J04F083046 from a non-local independent dealer (internet sale). They are asking approximately $16,000.
They have preemtively pointed out an issue with the carfax on this VIN, it is coming up with descrepencies in the last two years. Before that the VMI from MBZ (that they provided) is showing its last service from MBZ as 3/2007 and 39,380 miles. The carfax matches that, sort of, as 3/2007 and 39,375 miles. From there it is shown as:
03/07 serviced at MBZ dealer 39,375
06/07 sold at auction, 41,648
10/07 DMV reported 41,956
02/09 DMV reported 40,769
03/09 sold at auction 40,934
04/09 online listing offered for sale 41,000
05/09 sold at auction 41,289
Any ideas on this? I'm assuming that the odometer system is to be trusted on this car but that like anything electronic with enough work could be modified. I can look at the DMV reported numbers as being estimated and mistaken (ie the 02/09 report) but then the one that worries me are the two "at auction" numbers of 03/09 and 05/09.
Can anyone look at this (the actual Carfax or directly at the Vehicle Master Inquiry) and tell me what they think?
Just looked at the Carfax and I would be very suspicious. Odometer rollback was just a few weeks before auction. Previously, it was also reported at least twice to be 41xxxmiles.
So it's not like a one off mistake by someone. In 18 months it went from 41xxx to 40xxx. I think someone replaced the instrument cluster with a newer one or knows how to change it electronically.
I know in the UK it is possible to do it electronically, so I guess it would be the same here?
Good luck man. I guess in the end, even if it's not 41xxx, how many miles could they put on it in 18 months?
Although, it will be hard to re-sell it with that carfax report
I had the same thoughts pretty much, it seems like a lot of work to roll back for 18 mos but I guess if somehow u know how to do that - it seems odd too to not do it correctly and pick a number two or three thousand higher that is not inconsistent (just showing car wasn't driven). It is odd tho certainly and will affect resale no matter what - I guess it already has as the price is a couple of grand under what is might be typically I think.
I spoke to a service advisor at the nearest MBZ dealership to where the car is. For about $80 they'll take a look at the ECU milage and hopefully I can get a general sense from them if the wear on car seems consistent with milage as well. Also, if seller is unwilling to take car there, of course deal would be off. I'm still working out some other stuff but if I end up moving forward and having them take it to the dealer I'll report back...
i would walk away from it.
too many cars on the market to have that on my mind.
resale would be very low unless you plan to keep it for a very long time..8+ years.
did you do an "auto check" report also? or only car fax?
the auction are pretty strict regarding reports of problems..so two auctions with different miles ????? what does "auto check" report.
06/04/2007 FL 41,648 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
06/06/2007 FL 41,648 Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS FLEET/LEASE
10/10/2007 FL 41,956 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER FROM DMV
11/03/2007 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0090227065)
11/03/2007 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION
08/28/2008 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION
02/10/2009 FL 40,769 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER FROM DMV
03/09/2009 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0090227065)
03/13/2009 FL 40,769 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
03/16/2009 FL 40,934 / 40,769
Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS FLEET/LEASE
03/19/2009 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN
05/01/2009 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS NOT ACTUAL MILES
05/05/2009 FL 41,074 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
05/18/2009 FL 41,289 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
you got your answer with your "auto check" report.
using BOTH "auto check" and "car fax" plus being able to see car really provides a clearer picture in a used car purchase...
there are many cars with "clean" car fax reports that are also reported with frame damage at auction or other problems..
BUYER BEWARE some dealers are actually searching and buying these cars with known problems reported on auto check BUT they have a clean car fax..
since most people do not know that they can purchase an auto check..the buyer never knows about the auction reports.
03/19/2009 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN
05/01/2009 FL Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS NOT ACTUAL MILES
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