Tips for Buying a Used Mercedes-Benz , BMW or Audi

Let´s face it: everyone has dreamed of owning a luxury car at some time in their life. The difference between your Ford Focus or your Kia Rio and a Mercedes, Audi, BMW, or other top quality luxury car is palpable. The problem, of course, is that not everyone has $50,000 dollars (or more) of expendable cash, and the idea of taking on a monthly payment that is comparable to your mortgage isn´t exactly enticing either.

For most of us “ordinary Joes” who weren´t born into wealth, the only option we´ll ever have to get into a top of the line luxury car is through buying used. A used Mercedes Benz or used BMW, however, are most likely still much higher quality than a new vehicle offered by other car manufacturers. By knowing what to look for and what to prioritize, you can find a luxury used Mercedes Benz or used BMW that will make you feel like you´re driving in style.

Below we offer our top tips for finding the best quality used BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi to help you find a decently priced, affordable, yet sophisticated luxury car for your future.

Advantages of Buying Used

One of the best reasons to buy a used Mercedes Benz or BMW is because they depreciate much faster than other cars on the market. While this might be a disadvantage to folks who are buying new, they probably have more than enough money and won´t really mind losing a couple thousand dollars when they decide to sell.

For people looking for a quality used the luxury car, however, these cars will depreciate quickly during the first five years, even though their engines are built to be essentially trouble-free. After the first five years, they will depreciate at more or less the same level as other cars on the market.

If you have the money, then, it´s definitely a good idea to try and find a quality used BMW or Mercedes that is around 3-5 years old. Even if you find a used luxury car that is 10 to 15 years old, as long as it hasn´t been totalled, chances are that you will be driving it for years.

Make Sure to Scan Used Mercedes Benz or BMW for Fault Codes

These top quality cars are loaded with all sorts of electronic and technological options. While this is mostly considered to be a plus, it can also cause problems when buying used. Many potential electrical problems aren´t visible to the trained eye of a mechanic.

When you are purchasing a used BMW or Mercedes Benz, make sure to find a mechanic who has a scanner to check for any fault codes. This will let you know whether or not there are any serious electrical or technical problems to the car's gadgets that might cause you expensive troubles down the road.

Which Models are the Most Reliable?

Another question that you should be considering is what model you should go for. Like most car manufacturers, Mercedes Benz and BMW have produced dozens of models over the years, and some have obviously performed better than others. If you are looking for a quality used Mercedes Benz or BMW, you should be looking for the model that has the most reliable engine so that you can be sure that your investment will stay with you for the long run.

For a used Mercedes Benz, the M112 V6 3.2 liter engine has long been considered to be the most reliable of the Mercedes models. This engine is included in the E320, C320, CLK320, and ML32 models.

For a used BMW, the 135i is a classy coupe that comes with a powerful and reliable 300 HP engine. With the right maintenance, this car will last a lifetime while still making you feel like you´re driving in style.

If you’re in the market to buy now, you’ll definitely want to shop around. Don’t buy the first car you see, takes notes and compare at least three vehicles. If buying from a private dealership you could save money compared to the branded dealerships but you’ll want to find a reputable one that specializes in German cars like BMW, Mercedes and Audi. Dupont Auto Centre is an example of such a used car dealership that has a solid reputation in a major city like Toronto. You can also check out their Facebook page for updates. Check Google reviews and make dealer comparisons, similar to making comparisons with vehicles.

Value over Time

For some people, you might be looking for a used BMW or used Mercedes Benz to be the car for your foreseeable future, driving it until it´s time to pass it on to your grandchildren. For others, however, you might be looking for a quality used the luxury car to drive for several years before selling it on the used car market.

Fortunately, most Mercedes Benz and BMW´s hold their value very well over time. The Mercedes Benz G-Class is often considered by reputable automobile websites to be one of the cars with the highest trade in value over the years. For a used BMW, the BMW M series cars also hold their value very well and are also extremely reliable.