[zeph]

I’m 24-hr test driving this 2018 passenger van with barn doors and notice this rear-window heater wiring looks pretty after-market. Is that how they come from the factory or what?

Also, there seems te be a cap missing from the front bumper, and it looks like some kind of hose or pipe is behind it. What s it for?

 

[focus805]

I’m 24-hr test driving this 2018 passenger van with barn doors and notice this rear-window heater wiring looks pretty after-market. Is that how they come from the factory or what?

Also, there seems te be a cap missing from the front bumper, and it looks like some kind of hose or pipe is behind it. What s it for?

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That is factory wiring.

The cap covers the tow hook port. There should be a tool kit with a tow eye that screws into that port. There should be a cover too.

 

[pounce]

That the tow hook cover is missing may be a tip that you should look closely for damage or repair work.

 

[zeph]

@focus805

Thanks!

I can’t believe Mercedes leaves the wires out like that, easy to yank them out when loading/unloading.
Where should that tow kit be located?

@pounce

Yeah, I ran a Carfax that indicated some ”minor” damage to the passenger side. Did not show up on Carmax’ Autocheck report, nor on Vindata.

Another thing that is weird is I found a Nevada smog check certificate in the vehicle, but the documentation states it is a California car.

 

[icerabbit]

Yes, it's missing the little tow hook cover. Can be bought online. And might indicate that towing was needed.

MB is not the only vehicle to have exposed rear windshield wires. Seen it on plenty of vehicles, especially those without passenger trim surrounding everything. Maybe in the V-class it is covered up, but that's a whole different price point. And, honestly, I'm not sure how a person would unclip those wires in a window recess while unloading cargo ... they're recessed in the window well in a door the thas to be opened 90 ... 180 ... 270 degrees. In 30 years with a multitude of vehicles and a good number of barebones / cargo ones with rear window defrost ... not once was there any notion of a failure at that point. So, while it may be disappointing to see on a MB ... the Metris is a multi-function vehicle, and the passenger version may have cargo rear doors?

 

[pounce]

I do not work for Carfax. I can tell you that Carfax does its best to collect information on vehicles. It does not have some special ability to collect information that has not been made available (and that's a lot of stuff due to 50 states and little or no reporting for most things). I can dance around that, but the net of it is that Carfax is not 100% accurate. Advocating for you I would tell you to very carefully inspect a vehicle being sold by Carmax. My company has a relationship with them so I wont say more than that.

If you like you can share the vin via PM and if I have time tomorrow I can see if I know something about that van.

 

[zeph]

Thanks all for your feedback. Certainly stuff to consider.

The cap covers the tow hook port. There should be a tool kit with a tow eye that screws into that port. There should be a cover too.

Where would this tool kit be located? What does it look like? Thanks.

 

[icerabbit]

Thanks all for your feedback. Certainly stuff to consider.

Where would this tool kit be located? What does it look like? Thanks.

Common location could be under the driver's seat or glove box.

It is a tan roll-up pouch, with a few metal tools in it.

 

[zeph]

Another thing I noticed when driving home this evening is the headlights are pretty weak, is that normal?
And there appears to be a battery under the passenger seat, is that the regular battery or the aux?

I will say that the 24-hr test drive is something every dealership should offer. There's stuff you just don't notice in a regular test drive around the block in the company of the sales guy.

After test driving for the better part of the day, I noticed:

• buzz from the driver side AC vent in the cargo hold
• missing tow hook cover
• 2 recalls, stop sale issued (according to vindata.com)
• damage reported on Carfax
• missing service manual
• rubber seals on sliding doors are coming loose

I'm really looking for one with keyless entry and cruise control, but those are pretty far out of state.

 

[icerabbit]

I agree with 24hr test drive. Thing is dealers don't want people racking up miles on vehicles in 24hr periods and then not sell. Plus, there's probably a fair amount of risk involved in terms of damage to vehicles, conditioning, ... considering how many people treat vehicles, rental cars and things they don't own. Not saying most people while shopping for a car; but I can envision some abuse scenarios. Just like we hear about car thefts during or after test drives.

Anyway.
Headlights. If a person is used to super modern headlights, wants clean white or used to driving a lower vehicle with boosted lights, they may appear dim; but I have done a ton of night time driving and the lights are legal and good.

The recalls are super minor. We all got them. As far as I can discern with my vehicle, at this time nothing is wrong. But, yes, for vehicle sales, that may throw a spanner in the works.

The battery under the passenger seat is the main battery. MB and other brands have moved batteries away from the typical under the hood area for a while, whether they wanted/needed it for space reasons, balance, conditioning, ...

The manual is available online.

Tow hook cover is a $20 part.

Rubber seals ... maybe somebody pulled them loose accidentally at one time or who knows. Can always reseat them, and maybe try a couple drops of RTV silicone in a couple spots. ( what I would do, if it were too loose.

Damage. Perhaps the original or servicing dealer has more info. Sometimes they're straight forward to give information what the vehicle came in for and what was needed / ordered. I think for the most part minor issues are repaired well, just depends on what happened, where and what all was effected.

 

[zeph]

Yeah, aside from the unknown damage, it’s nothing major. It’s a bit smelly, too. I guess the biggest issue is the over-inflated prices. $38K out the door for a car with 50k miles, that thing had better be cherry.

 

[pounce]

Mind the smell and make sure it's not a flood car.

 

[zeph]

How can you tell?

 

[pounce]

How can you tell?

Look in the crevices. Locate the smell. Look under the seats etc. If you have weird title issues that don't add up you have to investigate if someone is trying to dump a salvage. Carmax might not know they bought one.

 

[zeph]

Lol I found the tow hook in the glove compartment

 

[icerabbit]

Yeah, the price. 😬

What are its options and what was the new price?

 

[zeph]

It had power sliding doors, that was pretty much it. Don’t know new price, sorry.

Anyhow, I decided not to purchase. Not my color, not my options, smelly, damage reported, too expensive, even in this market.

The search continues...

 

[pounce]

If the price was a problem I will tell you that any dealer is going to be the same. If you want to do better with used you will need to try a shady small dealer or individual sale. I still think you did the right thing with this van based on color and features when accounting for your intended use and location.

 

[icerabbit]

It has to be the right fit indeed, color to some extent one might be flexible, but if it is missing some options that are must haves, then you want those, and everything else makes it seem a bit too iffy.

 

[zeph]

I'm flexible on color and options if the car is in great condition. The main issue for me was that smell, kind of mold/mildew-like, unhealthy. All in all, the car was cleaned up well but it felt older than its age and mileage would suggest.