Or WIBU to buy this car?

[Jacketspudtunamayo]

I’m in need of a car asap. My one is on its last legs even though it’s 67 plate. It’s just not fixable.

My brother has a Mercedes CLA 200d 65 plate with 119,182 miles on the clock. It’s a diesel if that makes much difference. Most of the miles clocked up were from before he bought it.

WIBU to buy this for £5750? I’d be paying the lump sum off his finance then it would be mine? He’s my brother. I haven’t got a clue about cars, I’m aware that’s high mileage though. I’m sure he wouldn’t con me, I’ve drove it quite a few times. Always drives smoothly. But with my car breaking today I wouldn’t have time to look around. So thought this would be ideal.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

I know nothing about cars but my friend’s Merc is a nightmare to maintain, you can’t easily change a fuse or a bulb, for example, so I would check this sort of thing.

Also I am guessing that other c grated metropolitan cities might follow London and introduce charges for diesel cars.

30 years ago, maybe. Not now. Sadly you can go very wrong with a diesel Merc (just like most other makes).

OP — the car’s probably well run-in but unless you’re doing 15,000 miles a year and getting it over 40mph for a sustained period on a motorway/dual carriageway at least once a week, a diesel isn’t the right tool for the job.

If you don’t do the miles I wouldn’t steer you away from a petrol GLA, mind.

The charges are only for older diesels - newer ones are generally compliant so don't have to pay.

There is a lot of ignorance and misinformation being spouted about diesel cars.

A low mileage car that's hardly been used (never gets warmed up properly) and hasn't been properly serviced can be more trouble than a high miler that's been properly looked after.

You can if it’ll be doing short journeys - the DPF will clog solid in months.
It’s a terrible idea

As per pp, diesel is no good if you mainly do short trips. As I have found out to my cost - currently have a diesel with serious engine faults caused by incorrect usage which would cost £1000s to repair and I'm getting rid. It's been years and years of £1000+ service costs every year. Horrendous.
Also - particulates. And ULEZ (may not be relevant to you)

I personally wouldn't buy a car that isn't ULEZ compliant. More and more cities are going to have ultra low admission zones

Not for diesel. They can go to 250,000 and beyond

The car OP is asking about is ULEZ compliant - it has particulate emissions no greater than an equivalent petrol car and certainly far lower than a woodburner!
People are parroting nonsense about diesel cars from a position of ignorance.

Do you want that car at that price? Would you buy it if it wasn’t your brothers?

OP I've had a diesel for 6 years, my journeys are generally 30 mind each way, with a couple of motorway trips a month. I've had no problems at all with it. It's a 64 plate. Absolutely fine on short journeys, DP used to have an 03 plate diesel until last year, also short journeys and no problems until the last probably 2 years

Like others say, run a quick compare on what it's worth with we by any car or similar.

Remember that an expensive car will be expensive to service and repair. And a car with that many miles will need both.

I'm not sure if £5k is a good price for this car, but I'd say the mileage is only a little above average for a car that's 8 years old. Mercedes are very reliable.

Wonder why he is selling at that price, it's worth about £12k. 🤔

Mercedes are very reliable.
Not according to most reliability surveys.
(I drive a Mercedes)

You probably need to do a long journey every one or two weeks in a diesel or it won't be happy

I'm surprised at a 5yr(ish) old car being unfixable - unless it has intergalactic mileage. You'd be best to get a 2nd opinion on it first from another garage.
What car is it and what is the fault?

As for the merc - no reason for it to be any better or any worse than any other car that age. But why is he letting it go for about half its market value?
Also be wary of buying a car with outstanding finance - make sure you do it right.

You really don't know what you're talking about.

No. Never buy a car with that many miles. Buy something else with low
mileage that is the key to having a
good car

absolute tosh.

Wonder why he is selling at that price,
it's worth about £12k. 🤔

that’s what I was thinking, it’s very cheap.

120k isn't a high mileage for a diesel. It could go to 200 k quite happily and that could be years off. High mileage combined with regular servicing is better than low mileage, lots of short trips or being left parked for ages are not good for cars.

Is it a type and size of car that suits your needs, have you checked tax and insurance costs? Does it fit any necessary child seats? Is the price right (check auto trader) That's what I'd check first. After that, check service history. You want a basic service at least annually. And check when the timing belt is due to be replaced.

There will be plenty of other cars so don't take this just because it's available

The cost of repairs are extortionate op!!
Sorry haven't read full post but why is db selling it before finance finished?
I don't think it's the right car,it's not practical enough.
Don't panic buy,take your time to look around else you really could end up regretting this and if it goes wrong soon after purchase,will you resent db?sometimes best to keep money deals and family seperate.

I would look on places like auto trader as to what else I could get for same budget
wary of buying from someone close as if it goes wrong it’s difficult

My understanding was she’s paying off the remaining finance and he’s then giving her the car for that figure.
could be wrong though.

And 120,000 on a diesel is barely run in.

Please tell us about your current car so we can avoid that make and model! I’m wondering what on east has happened to it at that age.