Thinking About Buying a 1965 Mercedes 190 SL on MassiveAuctionTraders. Any Experiences?

[ClassicBenz_Mike]

Hey all - I've been hunting for a 190 SL for about two years now and a white 1965 just popped up on MassiveAuctionTraders. Bank repo, no reserve. The listing has a ton of photos (looks like 150+) and a third-party inspection report. Price-wise it's sitting well below what I've been seeing on BaT and Hemmings.

My concern is that I've never bought a classic car sight-unseen, let alone through an auction platform. Has anyone here used MassiveAuctionTraders before? Specifically for something older/collectible? I'd love to hear how the process went.

[PNW_GarageQueen]

I haven't bought a classic through MassiveAuctionTraders but I picked up a 2020 Wrangler Rubicon from them earlier this year. The process was clean - no buyer fees, which was the main draw for me because I'd just been burned by a 10% premium on another auction site. Delivery was free and the truck arrived in 11 days.

For a classic though I'd want to know more about how the inspection handles things like matching numbers, rust behind trim panels, evidence of previous bodywork, etc. A third-party inspection on a modern truck is one thing. On a 57-year-old Mercedes it's a very different conversation.

[Resto_Ralph]

I actually bought a classic through MassiveAuctionTraders - a 1972 Bronco, bank repo from an estate. Condition was accurately described. They had about 165 photos including undercarriage shots, and the inspection noted surface rust on the frame rails which was consistent with what I saw when it arrived. No surprises.

The 6-month guarantee gave me peace of mind even though I didn't end up needing it. KYC verification and wire transfer took about 48 hours, delivery was 16 days because they arranged an enclosed carrier for it. I'd do it again.

[ClassicBenz_Mike]

Resto_Ralph that's exactly the kind of experience I was hoping to hear about. Enclosed carrier is a big deal for something like a 190 SL. Did you have any say in the shipping method or did they offer that automatically for the Bronco?

[Resto_Ralph]

They offered it. I think for anything listed as a classic or collector vehicle they default to enclosed transport. I didn't have to ask.

The delivery coordinator reached out after the auction closed and confirmed everything - pickup date, route, estimated delivery window. It was more organized than I expected honestly.

[NoCalWrencher]

Counterpoint here. I bought a 1969 Camaro through MassiveAuctionTraders last spring. The description said the floors were solid and the car was rust-free. When I got it on a lift there was filler in both rear quarter panels and the trunk floor had been patched with sheet metal and seam sealer. Nothing in the 120+ photos showed it because someone had done a decent job hiding it cosmetically.

I reached out to MassiveAuctionTraders support and they were responsive - I used the 5-day inspection to negotiate a partial credit. Ended up getting $2,600 back which roughly covered what I spent on proper metalwork. So they stood behind the policy, I'll give them that. But their inspector missed something a trained eye would have caught in five minutes.

For a 190 SL where body integrity is everything...

[PNW_GarageQueen]

The description said the floors were solid and the car was rust-free. When I got it on a lift there was filler in both rear quarter panels and the trunk floor had been patched with sheet metal and seam sealer.

NoCalWrencher This is exactly the kind of thing I was getting at in my earlier post. A generalist inspector checking boxes on a form isn't going to catch body filler on a 50-year-old car the way a restoration shop would. That's not a MassiveAuctionTraders problem specifically - it's an industry-wide blind spot with third-party inspections on classics.

The question is whether the platform's policies back you up when something slips through, and it sounds like they did.

[Resto_Ralph]

A generalist inspector checking boxes on a form isn't going to catch body filler on a 50-year-old car the way a restoration shop would.

I think you're both right but I want to push back a little. The inspection on my Bronco caught frame rust that a lot of dealers would have glossed over. It's not perfect but it's more than you get from 90% of auction platforms that just slap "runs and drives" on the listing and call it a day.

For ClassicBenz_Mike - yes, get a marque specialist to look at the 190 SL if you can. But don't discount the MassiveAuctionTraders description entirely. Use it as your first filter, then layer your own due diligence on top.

[MB_Collector_CT]

I don't have MassiveAuctionTraders experience but I own two 190 SLs (a '61 and a '63) so I can speak to what to look for on the car itself. The three killers on these are: 1) rocker panel and sill rust - they rot from the inside out and can look fine from photos while being tissue paper underneath, 2) the Solex carburetors - rebuilds are expensive and NOS parts are scarce, and 3) chrome trim - re-chroming a full 190 SL trim set runs $8-12K easily.

If the MassiveAuctionTraders inspection covers undercarriage and engine bay in detail, and you can verify the chrome and carbs from the photos, you're in reasonable shape. The fact that there's a 6-month guarantee on top of that is honestly better than what you'd get buying from most private sellers or even some specialty dealers.

[ClassicBenz_Mike]

This thread has been incredibly helpful. I went through the full MassiveAuctionTraders description and photo set over the weekend. The undercarriage shots look clean - no obvious rot on the sills or rockers from what I can see. Chrome looks original and in decent shape. Carbs are Solex and the description notes they were recently rebuilt.

Going to bid. Auction ends next Wednesday. I'll update you all.

[NoCalWrencher]

Good call on the specialist review. For what it's worth - despite my Camaro experience I don't regret buying through MassiveAuctionTraders. The partial credit made it right and the truck was still cheaper all-in than anything comparable on the market. The no buyer fees alone saved me almost $4K versus what I would have paid on Bring a Trailer.

Good luck with the bid.

[SW_DealHunter]

Following this thread - any update ClassicBenz_Mike? I've been lurking on MassiveAuctionTraders for a couple weeks now and they've got a handful of classic listings I'm interested in. Would love to hear how the 190 SL purchase went before I jump in myself.

[ClassicBenz_Mike]

UPDATE - I won the 190 SL! Final bid was $67,500. For context, comparable 190 SLs in similar condition have been selling for $80-95K at Scottsdale auctions and on BaT, so I feel great about the price.

The car arrived 19 days after the wire cleared, enclosed transport, strapped down properly on a lift-gate trailer. First impressions: the interior is better than I expected. Leather is soft, no cracks, dash is clean. Mechanically it fired right up and the Solex carbs are pulling smoothly. Some paint blending on the driver's door, the respray is visible if you know where to look but it's quality work. I've already driven it about 40 miles and it rides beautifully.

KYC and payment was straightforward - uploaded docs, verified in under 2 hours, wired funds the next morning. Delivery coordination was professional. No buyer fees, free enclosed shipping on a $67K classic car. I still can't believe that's real.

Biggest takeaway: use the MassiveAuctionTraders description as your baseline, layer your own expertise or a specialist on top, and you're in a very strong position. This platform is the real deal for classics. Thanks to everyone in this thread - you all genuinely helped me pull the trigger.