Buying a Mercedes? Here’s what new drivers need to know

Few names hold as much prestige as Mercedes. The German powerhouse is known for manufacturing some of the finest luxury saloons, but its offering has developed significantly over the years. They now are a go-to for estates, SUVs and electric vehicles too.

Mercedes has had a strong second half of 2022 and expects demand for new cars to outstrip supply in the final quarter of the year. If you’re considering buying one of their iconic vehicles soon, here are some of the key things you need to consider.

Reliability

Ford, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall are among the favourite manufacturers for new drivers. They are seen as safe options that can be fixed cheaply and easily. However, according to a survey by What Car?, none of them rank higher for reliability than Mercedes.

New vs Used

Few things are as exciting as purchasing a brand-new car. Outside of property, they tend to be the most expensive items for everyday people to buy. If you can buy a new car outright, great. But if you have to get it on finance, you need to make sure you can keep up with the repayments. Bear in mind all the costs that come with driving too; fuel, tax and insurance will need to be considered when weighing up what you can afford. It may be a better idea to opt for a used model – many of which are classed as nearly new. These will have limited mileage and depreciation won’t be as much of a factor.

Tips for first-time buyers

If you’re buying a used Mercedes, there are a few important factors to look at regardless of what model you select.

• Check for rust: Some older models experienced significant problems with rust, so you may have to get on your hands and knees to see the car from all angles.
• Use an approved dealership: There are plenty of approved Mercedes dealers across the country, many of which will conduct pre-sale checks to ensure you only get a quality vehicle.
• Look at the vehicle history: If possible, have a glance at the logbook and go through the service history to see if you can find anything that may point towards an issue with the car. You can often do these checks online if you have the registration number.
• Locate reviews: It’s not a good idea to buy a new car without researching it first. Check for reviews of similar models from the same year. They may highlight issues you’d rather avoid, like a lack of headroom or a lacklustre infotainment system.

Models to look out for

If you’re a bit of a speed lover, the AMG GT 63 S is one of the fastest four-door vehicles on the market. Anything from the SL-Class is great if you want a sporty convertible with a bit of a kick, while the EQC is a fully electric SUV – perfect if you want a bigger ride that’s fit for the future.