Mercedes Corrosion Problems, Car To Be Written Off.

[eastern]

This isn't so much a question as a warning, 3 years ago we bought a 1 owner Merc 320 CLK, car was immaculte to look at and still is. Checked it's history and had 1 lady owner from new and full non franchised service history. Have run the car very little over the years, never in winter and apart from some broken springs has passed it's MOT's no problem, until last week when it was failed on chassis corrosion. The corrosion is so bad we are going to have to write the car off, if I showed you a picture of the car you wouldn't believe me but it's true. It would appear on asking around in the motor trade that Mercs from 1996 to 2004/5 are worse than old Lancia's for rotting away underneath. By the way the car has never been accident damaged in it's whole life.

[tonyav]

Shame about that eastern, but as you say the build quality of Mercs of that era was dire.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Mercedes of that era were very bad...however think yourself lucky that you dont own a Merc van.

[stocksman]

I believe that was when the C-class cars were built in S. Africa and got a really bad press for build quality.

[Prudie]

Don't say this, I've not long bought a 2000 Merc and it does appear immaculate.