Odometer Rollback

[wishicouldwrench]

I'm interested in a Mercedes-Benz 300E (http://www.talaautoselect.com/inventory/view/6910487?1990+MERCEDES+BENZ+300E+AUTO+NO+ACCIDENTS+IN+EXCELLENT+CONDITION+MUST+SEE%21+New+Westminster+BC) because my research indicates that with proper maintenance these vehicles are incredibly reliable.

I have managed to find a 300E that the seller claims has just under 100,000km. After running a background check, I found something interesting:

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
07/30/1990 198 Oregon
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake Oswego, OR Odometer reading reported
10/14/1991 Oregon
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lake Oswego, OR
Title #9128738416 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Duplicate title issued
08/21/1993 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Vancouver, BC Registration issued or renewed
08/17/1994 3,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
08/23/1996 6,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/08/1998 11,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/14/1998 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/11/1999 14,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/14/1999 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/08/2000 18,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/14/2000 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
05/31/2001 21,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/14/2001 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/11/2002 24,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/14/2002 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/04/2003 39,998 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection

MILEAGE INCONSISTENCY

The mileage reported here conflicts with this vehicle's odometer history. Ask a mechanic or the seller to confirm the actual mileage - this entry may just be a clerical error.

06/12/2003 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/04/2004 31,998 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/05/2004 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
05/25/2005 36,998 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/05/2005 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
05/23/2006 43,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/19/2006 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed
06/15/2007 52,998 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
06/23/2007 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Vancouver, BC Registration issued or renewed
03/26/2011 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Richmond, BC Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported
04/28/2011 54,999 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia Passed emissions inspection
04/30/2011 British Columbia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Richmond, BC Registration issued or renewed
10/02/2012 55,998 Vehicle Inspection Station
British Columbia

The vehicle is not in Calgary so I can't really see it in person before making the trip to BC to buy it. It seems interesting that the reported mileage is always ending in 999 or 998.

What are your thoughts on the history of the vehicle? clerical error or rollback?

Thanks

[Zero102]

Based on the average miles per year that one after the warning should be a 29 not a 39. That said I'm a little suspicious of the low mileage and the 999/998 bit. Also, you mentioned it has just under 100k on it, but it was reported as having 55,998 in October 2012, so it's had ~40,000km put on it in the last year after just a couple thousand a year - what's the deal there?

[wishicouldwrench]

Originally posted by Zero102
Based on the average miles per year that one after the warning should be a 29 not a 39. That said I'm a little suspicious of the low mileage and the 999/998 bit. Also, you mentioned it has just under 100k on it, but it was reported as having 55,998 in October 2012, so it's had ~40,000km put on it in the last year after just a couple thousand a year - what's the deal there?

Sorry, because the car is American it is in miles.

Its hard to tell based on the wear level of the interior. It looks like it needs a good clean up.

[AE92_TreunoSC]

Some people simply guess mileage at the registry and it causes errors.

I don't consider this to be a huge red flag for this particular vehicle. It has very consistent registration otherwise.

I'm not sure why these are considered rare, its in good shape compared to most 1990's that for sure.

[adidas]

I would understand the concern if the vehicles value was 10 times its asking price. :dunno:

[G-ZUS]

If you're looking at a W124 or any older Mercedes, it's all about service records, service records and more service records. If it doesn't have any, walk away, even though it may have low km. No such thing as a cheap Mercedes. Took me a while to find the right one that was dealer maintained.

[clem24]

Pics of the interior doesn't seem indicative of a car that's only done 100k KMs. Old European cars.. It's not what you pay for it, it's what you pay down the road.

[BokCh0y]

Sketchy to me. Any service records from the owner? What's the history? Can't base the mileage on the interior and the wear.

[sidewaysD]

Id look at the service history he has (Hopefully....) and look at them in detail. Invoice and workorders require the mechanic to write the odometer. If he has enough history, you can reconstruct the millage and verify it is indeed correct.

[ercchry]

thats a lot of proof that its low mileage, i'd say it was as simple mistake of entering a 3 instead of a 2 :nut:

and it would make sense if that MILES since the 55k reading would be 88k kms

[dexlargo]

...and what if the odometer is accurate? If the car was perfect, it wouldn't be that cheap. It's a 23/24 year old car that has spent 20 years in BC. In my experience, you don't get cars for almost nothing that are in perfect mechanical condition. Especially not from dealers.

[firebane]

Being a vehicle in the lower mainland if you can get the VIN you can check the history on it through Air Care and see if there is any discrepancy's there too.

Also be warned there are a TON of little auto lots in New West they are SUPER ASS sketchy and sell some stuff that should most likely not be bought.