1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbodiesel

An independent read

The description is honest and written by someone who knows the car - it admits the paint is tired, the climate control is half-broken and the car is slow, and a folder of service records going back to 1994 is a real thing to have. But the photos are all the same side-on drawing: no interior, no engine bay, no odometer, no underside, so you're taking every word on trust. These are known for running forever if the maintenance keeps up, and equally known for rusting at the jack points and floors, and for vacuum and glow plug gremlins that get expensive at an old-Mercedes shop. Honestly, for a sixteen-year-old I'd hesitate: a 40-year-old car with no airbags, no ABS you can count on, and diesel-specific repair needs is a lot to hand a new driver, and asking a teen to be the one stranded when something small fails isn't kind. It's a lovely car for someone who enjoys old cars, not an obvious first car.

Ask the seller about

1. 01 Ask to see the service folder in person and specifically when the timing chain, vacuum system and glow plugs were last done
2. 02 Look under the car and at the jack points, floor pans and battery tray for rust, since that's where these hide it
3. 03 Take it on a highway on-ramp with a parent driving to see how it merges, and check the brakes and seatbelts all work

Written by our AI from this listing and its photos. The seller did not write it, cannot edit it, and nothing they pay for changes it. It is the same for everyone who looks at this car. How this works →