Is This a Scam - Purchasing a Used Car

Overcomer on 22/06/2024 - 21:32
Last edited 23/06/2024 - 13:39 by 1 other user

A seller is selling a Mercedez 180. 2011 for $2000 which is a ridiculous deal. Driven 150kms. Listed just on the weekend.

I rushed to see the car. The seller then gives me the car to take for a drive. I find out that the radio unit doesn’t work, but that is not a problem as the car is already $2000. I then ask for rego papers to buy it. He said that he will write me a receipt as it is a company car. I am like you could go to the service NSW office nearby if you don’t have the paper with you. He said that because it is registered in the company, he doesn’t have it yet. He can get it by Monday.

I tell him no worries that when he has it. He first asks me to drop a deposit for Monday, but seeing that it doesn’t make sense, he says “No deposit” he will let me know by Monday.

I am wondering so as not to waste my time. Is this a scam?

Automotive Mercedes A180

Comments

  • weee on 23/06/2024 - 13:16
    +1

    even if it's legit you spend $2000 to buy something cheap not a financial burden like this piece of crap, for example, does it have to be an European car?

    • altomic on 23/06/2024 - 16:49

      it could be a made in South Africa car?

      • sumyungguy on 23/06/2024 - 17:27

        VIN suggests Germany

  • Drakesy on 23/06/2024 - 14:05
    +8

    I think the op needs their head checkes

    The first mechanical visit on a 13 year old mercedes will bankrupt you

  • Cave Fire on 23/06/2024 - 17:52

    I'd say buy it if you want, but be prepared to put another $900 or so for maintenance. At that point, you might as well look for more expensive cars that are cheaper to maintain. Eg, toyota or honda. You do get some better features like better ride, quietness and interior but have to pay for those. As an fyi, my aunts one had axle noise and my guesstimate was $1500 - $3000 to replace both axles. On something like a Camry thats $600 - $1000. Seems like they are popular in Sydney and market is also double the asking price.

    • Muzeeb on 23/06/2024 - 17:57
      +1

      but be prepared to put another $900 or so for maintenance

      That's a bit ambitious. More like $3k+

      • Cave Fire on 23/06/2024 - 18:11

        Classing maintenance as things like changing the oil ($3-400) + minor stuff. If it needs repairs, then it's going towards 1.5k to 3k as guessing the op isn't doing the work. radio not working could also point to problems with electrical. Also just had a look at the pic and looks like it's leaking a fair bit of oil.

    • Drakesy on 24/06/2024 - 16:02

      But but

      It cames with a shiny badge that people will think i'm balling when in reality you're driving a clapped out mercedes that says that you're most likely the opposite of balling.

  • sumyungguy on 23/06/2024 - 18:03
    -1

    A guy I know acquired a B180 from a friend end-of-lease for just the balloon payment $9K. A few weeks later he got rear-ended, written-off, comprehensive insurance paid out $19K. Food for thought…

  • c2pv1ru5 on 23/06/2024 - 18:45
    +2

    Merc A and B are really cheap cars and not worth it.

    • Muzeeb on 23/06/2024 - 18:49
      +4

      What about A200 AMG with all the bells and whistles?

      Asking for an old friend.

      • sumyungguy on 23/06/2024 - 18:57
        +1

        There's also that potentially repairable write-off soon to be assessed in Melbourne. Parkville, Royal Parade & College Crescent

      • Broke-Ken on 24/06/2024 - 23:22

        I wonder if that uni student is still a uni student, it's been a while since they posted that.

  • deepdag on 23/06/2024 - 20:18
    +3

    Hi OP,

    You can get a PPSR certificate which costs $2 and all you need is VIN number. This will show the vehicle is not stolen and was not written off anytime in its life. It will also show up if there is any finance owing on the car. If all this comes clean, then you should get it inspected with a mechanic.

    It's quite possible that business owner is selling company car and may not have all papers handy.

    Good luck!

  • Cluster on 23/06/2024 - 21:52

    $2k for that car? Yeah no. It's either incredibly dodgy, or the seller is a literal, certified idiot.

  • Zapwap on 23/06/2024 - 22:24

    ridiculous deal

    🤔 2011 MB B180, done over 230k? The first service after purchase will probably set OP back half of what they'd spend on an Asian car. Who's exactly being ridiculous here?

  • liongalahad on 23/06/2024 - 23:20
    +1

    anything more than $0 is not a good deal for this car

  • smartazz104 on 24/06/2024 - 08:17
    +1

    Just get a Merc star off eBay and stick it on your current car.

  • randomusername2017 on 24/06/2024 - 09:57

    he will let me know by Monday.

    Update 🤔

  • fitr on 24/06/2024 - 10:04

    Maybe or not , Already Monday now. Does he has the paper yet ???

  • EdenKai on 24/06/2024 - 10:10

    Theres that chanceit isnt a scam, but its ridiculously suspect. I mean its not his vehicle to sell, he has no information on it and wants some money up front. Sure its normal to pay a deposit on some things, but I'd be suspicious too.

  • qaz182 on 24/06/2024 - 10:18
    -3

    Q: What did the angel say to Princess Diana when she showed up to the gates of heaven?

    A: Wipe that "s-Merc" off your face

    .
    .

    qaz182 has been banned from OzBargain

  • Davo1111 on 24/06/2024 - 12:19

    Driven 150km

    Is this a typo? or did you see this on the dash?

    The report says is did 228k, history suggests it's real.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 24/06/2024 - 15:56
    +1

    Surprised nobody has mentioned the obvious,

    Other than the very smart decision to simply walk away based on the POS car choice, get the seller's name, verify ID, verify company registered in, order ASIC search to confirm seller is a director. Then PPSR.

    Then if all good, buy this POS that'll probably be a stupid decision financially and/or end up at the wreckers when literally anything goes wrong.

  • Muzeeb on 24/06/2024 - 18:00
    +1

    He can get it by Monday.

    Any updates OP?

    • randomusername2017 on 25/06/2024 - 18:32
      +1

      Overcome with emotion when they got the pink slip report back 😭

  • tinnybastard on 24/06/2024 - 18:07
    +1

    I really hope this story ends with the OP buying the car. Please.

  • Dollar General on 24/06/2024 - 18:13

    For $2k you are buying problems

  • Cave Fire on 24/06/2024 - 20:37

    ads gone… about 18h ago…hopefully no one sent any wierd messages.

  • ipiok on 24/06/2024 - 22:30
    +1

    Even if by some miracle it’s legit.. why on earth would you want that hunk of junk anyway

  • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 25/06/2024 - 01:28

    Don't let the cheap price fool you. Do you due diligence.

  • grr1701 on 25/06/2024 - 08:10

    Ignoring everything else, a 2011 car that has only driven 150 kilometres HAS to be suspect.

    • randomusername2017 on 25/06/2024 - 15:59
      +1

      Closer to 250000km if you believe service NSW…

  • Low Battery on 25/06/2024 - 09:00
    +2

    People who buy cheap secondhand Euro cars https://imgur.com/a/VlqV7XJ

  • ExpressCoffee on 25/06/2024 - 12:00
    +2

    Tell seller to Merce-deez nuts

  • imurgod on 25/06/2024 - 16:46

    The red flag is that it's a 180.

  • donman92 on 26/06/2024 - 07:56

    "In order to avoid being scammed. Rebirth the car" - Seller probably.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join