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[Sharpy]

Anyone know this car........VX57VBG, for sale with one owner at a local dealers - hate buying from them.

[funkydoodycool]

Why not go have a look and drive it?

Dealers are just like private sellers - except you KNOW they're gonna lie.

[mr singh]

mercedes dealer or independant garage?

[Sharpy]

independant garage.....just thought someone might know the car.

[mr singh]

i bought my forfour from an independent garage in birmingham... the guy who i did the deal with was the DRIEST brummy ever!
we all hate buying a car from 'dealers' but id say its better than buying from a private seller, as the seller may sell you a car that might not be roadworthy but a dealer they will have checked the car over before it goes on there pitch. if there is any money to be made from the car after has had its faults rectified it gets sold... if not it gets auctioned.

[CrazyG]

You've not given us much to go on really.....not to say we want to know the asking price.

As has already been said.....go check it over (JJ posted some 'what to look for' bits somewhere
on the forum, and I'm sure he'll refresh that on here shortly), but the main thing is....is has the
service book been stamped regularly ?  Has the cam belt been changed ? If it's done nigh on 60k
miles then it should have, so check for a receipt. But then it's 6 years old now, so it's really time
it should be done anyway. If not done, deduct £400 at least for that. And.... if they're not a Smart
'indie' then do not agree to them doing it....assuming you want the car. Negotiate if necessary.
I'd ask if they have the previous owners phone number....call n get the real low down on the car.
With one previous owner it could be a gem.

[Sharpy]

Thanks guys.............its one owner with 48k, silver and is up for £5495.....pictures look good, but the door mirror is taped up, so it looks like the last owner took something out. I going to call my local Smart dealer as the car has 5 Smart stamps - hopefully they will give me some info on the car.

[funkydoodycool]

As long as it's been serviced regularly.  5 stamps suggests it has, but check also for evidence of the interim oil changes - although mine had no record of that and... well it's fine

Door mirrors aren't hugely expensive to replace or repair, and every now and then one comes up breaking anyhow.

Sounds a reasonable price too, given the lowish mileage, but bear in mind I paid £4000 for mine 19 months ago, at 52k miles.  I'd be thinking to talk them down to £5k or less, based on the cam belt needing doing (assuming it does).

Good luck anyway.

[walshy forfour]

I got a forfour 3 mths ago and got a 3 mths warranty with it which ran out today,  I have been having problems with the clutch, today the warranty people phoned and said do I want to take the premiere warranty out which covers near all the parts for £28 a mth, I snapped his arm off  my friend has a john cooper works mini and just spent over £1300 on his engine, gear box and clutch which I am covered for with my £28 warranty 

[CrazyG]

... the door mirror is taped up, so it looks like the last owner took something out.

Taped up usually means it has been 'clunked' or knocked and damaged, not that something
has been removed.  The door mirrors do not fold in fully flat, so are prone to damage even
when folded.  Oh and if it is damaged, expect it to cost circa £75 for a replacement...
depending on if it is either a manual mirror, an electric one, or an electic and heated one.
Easy way to find out is to check it out.

[mr singh]

I going to call my local Smart dealer as the car has 5 Smart stamps - hopefully they will give me some info on the car.

6 year old car...5 stamps... get them to get it serviced and the cam belt done OR get about £500-700 knocked off the asking price and you get it done yourself from mercedes or a smart indi

[Problemchild]

At least with dealers you get a proper warranty!

Negotiate very hard!!

I got mine from York merc and got then down from nearly £12k to £9k (18months old)

JJ

[Sal_2013]

Sharpy mines done 32K its a brabus in silver, added pipecross filter and legal tints, selling it for £4500.PM if interested....thanks

[Problemchild]

Gutted Sal

JJ

[Sal_2013]

Hi JJ

Its a good car, handles well, speed for me is bang on but had heart surgery 7 months ago and ride is a bit to hard for me.

Will be sad to see it go but need a small car with a comfortable ride.