Going to look at a 2002 C220 CDI 4 door auto

[Barkychoc]

Been offered the chance of this at a good price. 75k genuine.
I'm capable of looking at the oily bits anything specific I should be looking at.

[Dog Star]

RUST! RUST! RUST! RUST!!!!!
RUST! RUST! RUST! RUST!!!!!
RUST! RUST! RUST! RUST!!!!!

I cannot stress this enough; personally I wouldn't bother - if it's not rusty then someone has done a quick spray job to cover it up.

You see so many of these with the arches holing, massive scabrous patches of the stuff breaking out in the middle of panels. Shocking. Ours (C220 CDi Panorama Evo) was a lovely car but the rust got so bad we got rid - this was a very pampered and garaged example.

Other stuff...
- fuel lines under the bonnet, plastic and crack easily.
- 2148cc engine is pretty bombproof
- more rust
- check that the box shifts as it does, doesn't stick in gear
- knocks from the front suspension are usually the roll bar bushes or drop links. Very cheap but don't last long.

But seriously - do have a good luck on the rust front, under the lips of arches and so forth. Has the car had paint? If it has then walk away; no rust repair will work properly and it will be back with a vengeance.

Nice cars, but I'd walk away.

[74merc]

I'll add electrical gremlins and black death (injector leakage).