I'm off test driving a used A-Class later today

[zarjaz1991]

72 plate A200 AMG Line Executive Hatchback. 18,000 miles.

This is from a Mercedes dealer. Actually already been in it the other day, but they would only let me drive it round the dealer's compound as it "hadn't been checked by the mechanics yet as it's only just come in" (!).
So today I'm going to take it on the public roads.

I've got to say, it's unlikely I'll buy this one, partly as it's the first one I've looked at from a "buying one" perspective, but also two previous owners at 18,000 miles is a bit of a possible flag.

Scott

[pacenotes]

Are you an estate agent?

If yes you will fit right in with one.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

It makes me laugh that the sort of person who buys an A class is the sort of person who would only buy a German car and assumes that French cars are rubbish.

The A160, A180 and A200 has the Renault 1.3 TCE engine and the 180d has the Renault 1.5 DCI engine.

Get a Megane MK 4 for half the cost?

[zarjaz1991]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

It makes me laugh that the sort of person who buys an A class is the sort of person who would only buy a German car and assumes that French cars are rubbish.

The A160, A180 and A200 has the Renault 1.3 TCE engine and the 180d has the Renault 1.5 DCI engine.

Get a Megane MK 4 for half the cost?

I get this argument. I don't think French cars are necessarily rubbish. And I haven't thought I'd be this way, but I've got bitten by the Mercedes bug and I think this may be the way things go.

I'm not 100% sure yet, but it's looking likely.

I'd go for a CLA but it's too far out of budget.

Scott

[Mark V GTD]

zarjaz1991 said:

I've got to say, it's unlikely I'll buy this one, partly as it's the first one I've looked at from a "buying one" perspective, but also two previous owners at 18,000 miles is a bit of a possible flag.

Scott

I think I would be keen to know who the first owner was - in other words if it was a pre-registered car I would not be bothered by 'two owners'. Is it really a big issue on a three year old car? In the past few years I have had a several brand new cars that I kept for three months or so as I was able to dispose of them for very little loss. They were all as new when I parted with them.

[SteBrown91]

zarjaz1991 said:

72 plate A200 AMG Line Executive Hatchback. 18,000 miles.

This is from a Mercedes dealer. Actually already been in it the other day, but they would only let me drive it round the dealer's compound as it "hadn't been checked by the mechanics yet as it's only just come in" (!).
So today I'm going to take it on the public roads.

I've got to say, it's unlikely I'll buy this one, partly as it's the first one I've looked at from a "buying one" perspective, but also two previous owners at 18,000 miles is a bit of a possible flag.

Scott

If the reg begins with K it was likely registered at MBHQ as some kind of fleet vehicle.

They will tell you its an ex management car but its also likely its an ex rental car. which would explain 2 owners. MBUK/lease/rental company for first 9-12 months then sold as approved used.

[Jamescrs]

I'd suspect it was probably a dealer car initially and then put on the forecourt after the first few months for sale to the public. A friends who works in car sales for VW used to have a new car every few months and it would then go on the forecourt and he would get another one and that's how the dealership ran and I believe still do.

[Belle427]

Nice enough car that goes well, quite enjoy driving ours when I get the chance. The black shiny plastics inside are horrid but its a nice place to be.
Don`t mind the engine to be honest, has a nice little kick with the mild hybrid bit.

[Richard-390a0]

zarjaz1991 said:

Executive Hatchback.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Richard-390a0 said:

zarjaz1991 said:

Executive Hatchback.

I knew exactly the sort of person who thinks that when I was waiting for my partner to get her nails done. Young girl parks out the front in a white A class (no idea of the model but looked pretty entry level) and then proceeds to come in with the key in her hand with a massive Mercedes key ring.

Honestly it didn't matter how good or bad the car was, the only thing that mattered was the badge on the front.

[zarjaz1991]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

I knew exactly the sort of person who thinks that when I was waiting for my partner to get her nails done. Young girl parks out the front in a white A class (no idea of the model but looked pretty entry level) and then proceeds to come in with the key in her hand with a massive Mercedes key ring.

Honestly it didn't matter how good or bad the car was, the only thing that mattered was the badge on the front.

I just pasted the official description of the car for reference.

It's not a comment on whether I'm impressed with the car or its description.

One of my Mondeos is an "Executive Business Edition". I'm way too long in the tooth to be interested in such matters.

Scott

[paul_c123]

The reason the Merc A class is perceived by most as an exec/prestige car, is because its better than most others, even without taking simply 'image' into account. Only the VW Golf/Audi A3 come close to it. IMHO the Audi A3 is no better than the Golf, but obviously the Audi badge adds the "image" to some. The BMW 1 series is nowhere - far too small and cramped.

So what if the engines were jointly developed alongside Mitsubishi/Renault/Nissan? They are good engines.

The base models are slow but apart from that, nothing wrong with a Merc A Class (3rd and 4th gen).

Personally I'd avoid a manual, only because selling it on would be more difficult.

[zarjaz1991]

paul_c123 said:

The reason the Merc A class is perceived by most as an exec/prestige car, is because its better than most others, even without taking simply 'image' into account. Only the VW Golf/Audi A3 come close to it. IMHO the Audi A3 is no better than the Golf, but obviously the Audi badge adds the "image" to some. The BMW 1 series is nowhere - far too small and cramped.

So what if the engines were jointly developed alongside Mitsubishi/Renault/Nissan? They are good engines.

The base models are slow but apart from that, nothing wrong with a Merc A Class (3rd and 4th gen).

Personally I'd avoid a manual, only because selling it on would be more difficult.

Thanks, yeah I'm fine with manuals. This is an automatic.

I've test driven it and it's certainly very nice. Whether it's £22,300 worth of nice is the challenge. I'm not wowed by badges (except PistonHeads stickers, obvs), I want to like the car and know it's right for me.

Scott

[tr7v8]

Very common as hire cars, had quite a few over the past few years. Absolutely horrible, I'd take a Focus or similar every day of the week. That stupid stalk selected auto gearbox & the abysmal GPS/BT/stereo put me off straight away.

[paul_c123]

tr7v8 said:

Very common as hire cars, had quite a few over the past few years. Absolutely horrible, I'd take a Focus or similar every day of the week. That stupid stalk selected auto gearbox & the abysmal GPS/BT/stereo put me off straight away.

I think the stalk operated auto (and its the same across a lot of other Mercs of the era) is one of the best features. The modern automatic doesn't need a big lever operating a cable or directly. So any kind of "gearstick" is a purely stylistic throwback to the era of cars that did. Why waste space with a big switch (that's all they are) on the centre console when a switch tucked out the way, but accessible, is all that's needed or wanted)?

Also the infotainment takes a little while getting used to but is pretty decent, compared to its rivals. I never had much bother with getting Apple Carplay to consistently work, which is more than can be said for some other manufacturers.

[zarjaz1991]

paul_c123 said:

I think the stalk operated auto (and its the same across a lot of other Mercs of the era) is one of the best features. The modern automatic doesn't need a big lever operating a cable or directly. So any kind of "gearstick" is a purely stylistic throwback to the era of cars that did. Why waste space with a big switch (that's all they are) on the centre console when a switch tucked out the way, but accessible, is all that's needed or wanted)?

Also the infotainment takes a little while getting used to but is pretty decent, compared to its rivals. I never had much bother with getting Apple Carplay to consistently work, which is more than can be said for some other manufacturers.

Based on my antics with a hired 2025 CLA the other week (see here) I am absolutely fine with the stalk operated gears, and carplay etc worked flawlessly. I am aware that the MBUX on this is a slightly older version and it also doesn't support wireless carplay like newer ones do, but that's all fine.

It was a very nice car, and I've got to make decision on whether to go down this route, or not. Things to think about. I'd rather look at more first, this does have a very low mileage though.

I am told it only has one owner, not two. Not sure where that 2 came from originally.

Scott

[ZX10R NIN]

Personally OP if you want one, I'd go for the 2.0t:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509056...

[zarjaz1991]

ZX10R NIN said:

Personally OP if you want one, I'd go for the 2.0t:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509056...

Hmm those links not working for me for some reason.

Scott

[georgeyboy12345]

SteBrown91 said:

If the reg begins with K it was likely registered at MBHQ as some kind of fleet vehicle.

They will tell you its an ex management car but its also likely its an ex rental car. which would explain 2 owners. MBUK/lease/rental company for first 9-12 months then sold as approved used.

This is a great nugget of knowledge. Thanks for sharing.

[ZX10R NIN]

zarjaz1991 said:

Hmm those links not working for me for some reason.

Scott

They work when I click on them.