Buying a used luxury vehicle? This 10-year-old Mercedes oil change is a cautionary tale

A Toronto mechanic started his TikTok video with a warning: “If you’re thinking about buying a 10+-year-old Mercedes-Benz, pay attention.” What he wanted viewers to understand is that when you see oil that needs changing on an old luxury car, it might just be the tip of the iceberg.

The mechanic had a Mercedes-Benz come into his repair shop for what was supposed to be a simple oil change. Oil changes can be complex, and oftentimes drivers end up using the wrong oil on cars that require much more viscous blends. But that wasn’t quite the case here. The mechanic explained, “This vehicle right here came in for just an oil change. Upon putting it in the air, you can see… we just have a complete mess.” He continued, “As you can see, someone took it upon themselves to apply what looks like shower caulk on this oil pan. Now, this oil pan has a plastic seal. No sealant needs to be applied.”

The car also had an aftermarket drain plug that was the incorrect size, which ended up causing further oil leakage. There were additional incorrect plugs and washers fitted into the system, making the overall condition of the car messy. The mechanic, who goes by @cxllmedez on TikTok, ultimately had to do an overhaul of the car’s system.

Cxllmedez explained that the best way to avoid this kind of situation is by taking a used vehicle back to the dealership or to a shop you trust to work on it. Shortcuts, he said, often end up creating much bigger problems down the line. In the comments, however, viewers were split, with reactions ranging from debates over brand reliability to repair shop etiquette.

One user wrote, “A plastic oil pan is crazy.” Another added, “Mercedes has fallen off if you ask me.” One commenter was more specific, writing, “I have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz with over 300K miles now and it still runs great, but best believe the maintenance is done every time, and I have paperwork to show for it.” Another viewer argued that people should stay away from cars like this if money is tight, writing, “The problem isn’t the car. The problem is people buying cars they can’t afford, so they ignore regular maintenance and service.”

According to Motor1, there are certain situations where buying a 10+-year-old luxury vehicle makes sense. If the mileage isn’t too high, the maintenance has been consistent and up to date, and the accident report has a clean bill of health, then by all means, go for it. Some of these cars actually age well and can be surprisingly durable. But it will cost a fair amount to keep them that way. On top of that, they tend to consume far more gas, depending on their age.

There are also obvious drawbacks you can’t avoid. The warranty has long expired, you can’t always trust what the mileage reads on the dashboard, and outdated electronics can take a toll. Still, not to be a downer — as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into, you might actually enjoy owning an old luxury car.