1997 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Has the star fallen? Back in 1990 J.D. Power released its first dependability study for cars available in the U.S. Guess who earned the #1 spot? Yup, Mercedes-Benz. I bet that’s why you are looking at an older MB, why not get a Mercedes for the same money as a Civic? I hear you, I shop like that too but remember, I’m a mechanic and can afford to repair a vehicle easier than most since I don’t charge myself labor ;) Today, Mercedes-Benz has fallen to below average. Let me tell you what one of my customers told me; "This car is very fun to drive when it is working," ouch!

So, you want a car that has that vault-like build quality and that incredible German road feel? You can’t go wrong with a Mercedes but there are things to look out for.

There are plenty of electronic gremlins effecting the dashboard, servo motors under the hood and leaking head gaskets on the v-6 models. The cheapest of these repairs will set you back hundreds of dollars and the head gaskets could cost ½ of what you paid for the car! So make sure everything on the car is working smoothly and quietly. If not, start chopping the price down, way down if there is more than one issue. To check for the leaking head gaskets on the V-6 cars remove the oil cap before you drive the car. Look for milky foam on the underside of the oil cap. After the drive park the car and make sure the electronics are working like I just mentioned. This should take 10 or 15 minutes. Now look under the car. Do you see any liquid? Unless it’s water draining from the A/C drain it’s time to look at another car. You do not want to deal with the leaking head gaskets.

If you are shopping for a used C-class as opposed to an Accord you have one advantage and one thing working against you. Your advantage is that this is a Mercedes-Benz. These cars were not cheap when new and generally speaking when somebody drops serious coin for a car they will take care of it. The thing working against you? Well, this was a inexpensive (relative term here folks) Mercedes-Benz. More than a few people went out and bought a new C-class or BMW 3-series and really couldn’t afford the maintenance and now you are buying that deferred maintenance and the problems that brings. What can you do??? While negotiating price, ask to see all service records. What the owner’s manual stamped at each service? Do they have paper work supporting any claims of maintenance done? If not, I’d walk away. There are too many nice entry level Luxury cars out there to buy someone else’s headaches.