2025 Used Mercedes-Benz E300L Buying Guide: Grasp Luxury Business Sedan and Avoid Pitfalls

As a benchmark model of mid-size luxury business sedans in the domestic market, the Mercedes-Benz E300L has always been favored by consumers pursuing luxury texture, comfortable experience and business dignity with its exquisite interior craftsmanship, stable power performance and rich intelligent configurations. In the 2025 used car market, the E300L maintains excellent value retention due to its high market recognition. The second-hand price ranges from 250,000 yuan to 450,000 yuan depending on the year, configuration and vehicle condition—for example, 2022 models of E300L Luxury Edition are around 350,000-400,000 yuan, while 2018 models are mostly between 250,000-300,000 yuan. However, due to its characteristics of 2.0T high-power engine (M274/M254), 9-speed automatic transmission and complex electronic control system, there are specific points to pay attention to in vehicle condition identification and post-purchase maintenance. This guide will focus on the used Mercedes-Benz E300L, providing a comprehensive purchasing plan from four core dimensions: preliminary preparation, vehicle condition identification, transaction practice and post-purchase maintenance.

I. Preliminary Preparation: Position Needs Accurately and Allocate Budget Scientifically

As a 4-door 5-seat mid-size luxury sedan, the Mercedes-Benz E300L excels in business solemnity and riding comfort. To avoid impulsive purchases, it is necessary to clarify your own needs first and plan your budget reasonably, which is the premise of buying a satisfactory used car.

1. Demand Positioning: Match the Car with Usage Scenarios

First, clarify the core usage scenarios: if it is mainly used for daily urban commuting and occasional family travel, the E300L Fashion Edition is sufficient, with basic luxury configurations such as leather seats and multi-zone automatic air conditioning; if you often need business reception or have higher requirements for comfort configuration, you can focus on the E300L Luxury Edition, which is equipped with 12.3-inch co-pilot entertainment screen, seat ventilation, 21-speaker Burmester Dolby panoramic sound and second-row electric seat adjustment, greatly enhancing the sense of luxury and comfort ; if budget is abundant and you pursue top configuration, the E300L Premium Edition can be considered, with exclusive configurations such as AR head-up display, digital headlights and active ambient lighting, but the used car price is relatively high. At the same time, clarify the drive form demand: front-wheel drive is sufficient for urban use, and 4MATIC four-wheel drive is more suitable for users in northern regions who need to deal with icy and snowy roads . Avoid overpaying for unnecessary high configurations and achieve cost-effectiveness.

2. Budget Allocation: Consider Full-Cycle Costs

The total budget should cover "transaction price + hidden costs + subsequent maintenance fees". Combined with the 2025 market price of used Mercedes-Benz E300L, the transaction price is recommended to account for 70%-75% of the total budget. Taking a total budget of 400,000 yuan as an example, the transaction price should be controlled within 300,000 yuan, and 100,000 yuan should be reserved for additional costs. Among them, hidden costs include third-party professional inspection fees (1500-2500 yuan, focusing on engine oil leakage, gearbox operation and electronic system detection), ownership transfer fees (200-500 yuan), and insurance fees (6000-12000 yuan/year, including compulsory traffic insurance and commercial insurance such as vehicle damage insurance and third-party liability insurance with insured amount of more than 5 million yuan). It should be noted that Mercedes-Benz does not provide free maintenance policies, so subsequent maintenance costs need to be fully considered: the conventional small maintenance cost (oil and filter replacement) is about 1500-2500 yuan, and the 60,000-kilometer major maintenance (replacing spark plugs, gearbox oil, brake discs, etc.) costs about 3000-5000 yuan. For vehicles with a service life of more than 5 years, reserve 20,000-30,000 yuan for maintenance, mainly for replacing aging parts such as engine oil seals and electronic sensors. For financial installment purchases, it is necessary to abide by the 2025 used car finance regulations, ensure that the interest rate does not exceed 4 times the LPR, and reject hidden service fees.

3. Channel Screening: Prioritize Transparent and Guaranteed Channels

When purchasing a used Mercedes-Benz E300L, it is recommended to give priority to three types of channels: first, large chain used car platforms (such as Guazi Strict Selection, Dongchedi Used Cars), which provide 90-day vehicle condition guarantee and professional inspection reports, and clearly mark whether the vehicle has had accidents or key component replacements, but the price is 5%-10% higher than that of personal direct sales; second, Mercedes-Benz official certified used cars, which have strict access standards (mostly within 3 years/100,000 kilometers, no major accidents), have passed more than 160 professional inspections by the manufacturer, and the three major components (engine, gearbox, chassis) enjoy extended warranty. Notably, some models that meet the conditions can enjoy "original price repurchase" policy , and the intelligent system rights can be automatically unbound , which is the most reassuring choice for pursuing after-sales security; third, personal direct sales channels (such as local Mercedes-Benz owner groups, WeChat Moments), the price is relatively favorable, but it is necessary to independently complete vehicle condition identification and transaction procedures, and pay special attention to the unbinding of intelligent network connection rights—non-official channels may face difficulties in unbinding original owner's rights . It is recommended to record audio and video throughout the process and sign a standardized contract. Avoid roadside small intermediaries and low-price bait car sources, which are prone to problems such as concealed accident history, tampered mileage and uncompleted recall repairs.

II. Vehicle Condition Identification: Focus on Core Components and Key Parts

The vehicle condition of the used Mercedes-Benz E300L is mainly concentrated in the 2.0T turbocharged engine (M274/M254), 9-speed automatic transmission, electronic control system and body structure. Combining professional detection methods and key part inspection, we can effectively avoid accident cars, flooded cars and odometer-tampered cars. Especially for models equipped with M274 engine produced between 2018 and 2022, it is necessary to focus on the problems of engine oil leakage and timing chain wear.

1. Exterior Inspection: Focus on the Integrity of Body Structure

The Mercedes-Benz E300L has an elegant and solemn exterior design, and special attention should be paid to the integrity of the body structure and the consistency of paint surface during inspection. First, walk around the car three times to observe whether the body paint is uniform and whether there are color differences, sagging or scratches. Use a paint film meter to detect the paint thickness (the original factory paint thickness is generally 120-200μm). If the value of the front engine hood, left fender or A-pillar exceeds 350μm, it may have undergone sheet metal repair, and it is necessary to further check whether there is a front or side collision. Open the engine hood to check whether the fender screws, engine hood screws and front anti-collision beam screws have disassembly marks (such as paint peeling and scratches). If there are disassembly traces, it may indicate that the front end has been in an accident and parts such as the water tank have been replaced. In addition, check whether all the glass of the vehicle is original (the production date on the glass should be consistent with the vehicle's production date), and whether the door hinge screws and trunk lock screws have disassembly traces. Pay special attention to the rear bumper and trunk floor to avoid buying cars with rear-end collision history. For models with panoramic sunroof, check whether the sunroof guide rail is aging and whether there is water leakage.

2. Interior Inspection: Judge Usage Condition and Functional Integrity

Enter the car and first smell the odor. If there is a pungent musty smell or disinfectant smell, it may be a flooded car. Check the metal parts at the bottom of the seats, the bottom of the steering wheel and the bottom of the center console for rust or water stains. Check the wear degree of the seats, steering wheel and shift knob. If the displayed mileage is less than 60,000 kilometers but there is obvious wear on the edge of the seats and the grip of the steering wheel, it may be an odometer-tampered car. Test all functional buttons one by one, focusing on luxury and electronic configurations: whether the 12.3-inch dual screens (central control + instrument) display normally without freezing, whether the Burmester sound system works normally, whether the seat ventilation/heating and electric adjustment functions are smooth, whether the active ambient lighting changes normally, and whether the L2-level intelligent driving auxiliary system (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) operates stably. Connect an OBD detector to read the vehicle's driving data and fault codes, focusing on whether there are fault records related to the engine, gearbox and electronic control system, which can intuitively reflect the historical condition of the vehicle. In addition, confirm whether the original owner has unbound the intelligent network connection rights to avoid being unable to use remote control and other functions after purchase .

3. Power and Chassis Inspection: Focus on Engine, Gearbox and Timing Chain

The power system is the core of the Mercedes-Benz E300L, and the test drive and chassis inspection must not be ignored. During the test drive, focus on three points: first, the engine's power output, whether the acceleration is smooth, whether there is jitter or abnormal noise (especially the abnormal noise of the timing chain when starting), and check the engine compartment for oil leakage (a common problem of M274 engine); second, the performance of the 9-speed automatic transmission, whether the gear shifting is smooth, whether there is obvious frustration when starting or shifting at low speed, and whether there is abnormal noise during operation (the 9AT transmission of E300L has high stability, but individual models may have shift delay); third, the stability of the chassis, whether there is abnormal noise when passing through potholes, and whether the braking is linear. If conditions permit, lift the vehicle to check the chassis: check whether there is collision damage or oil leakage (engine oil, gearbox oil) in the chassis, whether the exhaust pipe has glue repair marks (indicating possible air leakage), and whether the subframe has replacement traces. Pay special attention to the oil leakage of the shock absorbers and the wear of the half-shaft boots, which are common problems of high-mileage E300L. For 4MATIC models, additional inspection of the four-wheel drive system's power distribution is required.

4. Document Verification: Confirm Legitimacy and No Disputes

Carefully verify the relevant documents of the used Mercedes-Benz E300L to ensure that the vehicle can be transferred normally without disputes. Key verification documents include: vehicle driving license, registration certificate (big green book), owner's ID card, compulsory traffic insurance policy, vehicle history report and maintenance records. Check the registration certificate to confirm whether the vehicle has mortgage, seizure or other records, and the number of ownership transfers is recommended not to exceed 3 times. The more transfers, the greater the uncertainty of the vehicle condition. Confirm that the owner's identity is consistent with the information on the registration certificate to avoid agent sales disputes. According to the 2025 new regulations, the merchant must provide a vehicle history report, which should include accident records, maintenance records, mileage changes, etc. Focus on checking whether there is a record of major accidents, gearbox replacement, engine overhaul or electronic system maintenance. For Mercedes-Benz official certified used cars, confirm the validity of the extended warranty; for non-official channels, it is necessary to clearly ask the original owner to unbind the intelligent network connection rights and provide relevant proof . If the merchant refuses to provide the vehicle history report or right unbinding proof, it is recommended to give up the transaction directly.

5. Key Reminder: Common Fault Points of Volkswagen Magotan

When purchasing a used Mercedes-Benz E300L, pay special attention to its common fault points: first, engine problems. The M274 engine is prone to oil leakage at the oil seal and timing chain wear, while the M254 engine (equipped in new models) has been significantly optimized but still needs to pay attention to oil consumption; second, transmission problems. The 9AT transmission has high overall stability, but individual models may have shift delay or occasional顿挫, which needs to be confirmed through long test drive; third, electronic component failures. Due to the rich electronic configurations, faults such as central control screen freezing, ambient lighting failure and intelligent driving auxiliary system false alarm are prone to occur, which need to be tested one by one during the inspection; fourth, sunroof problems. The panoramic sunroof guide rail is prone to aging, leading to jamming or water leakage. For vehicles with a service life of more than 5 years or a mileage of more than 100,000 kilometers, it is recommended to increase the proportion of the maintenance budget to avoid subsequent high maintenance costs.

III. Transaction Practice: Standardize Operations to Avoid Risks

After confirming that the vehicle condition of the used Mercedes-Benz E300L is up to standard, standardized transaction operations are the key to ensuring the safety of funds and vehicles. Every link from price negotiation to ownership transfer must be handled carefully, especially paying attention to the confirmation of intelligent rights and interests.

1. Price Negotiation: Based on Market Conditions and Vehicle Condition

Before negotiation, refer to the market price of the same model on platforms such as Dongchedi (the 2024 E300L Fashion Edition is about 400,000-450,000 yuan, and the 2022 Luxury Edition is about 350,000-400,000 yuan) and take the median value as the reference . Adjust the price according to the actual vehicle condition: if the vehicle is a near-new car within 1 year/20,000 kilometers, with complete maintenance records and no defects, the price can be 5%-8% higher than the market median, and even meet the "original price repurchase" conditions for official certified vehicles ; if there is minor sheet metal painting or partial component replacement (non-core components), the price can be reduced by 10%-15%; if there is a record of engine overhaul, gearbox replacement, major accidents or frequent electronic failures, it is recommended to give up the purchase, or reduce the price by more than 30% and require the merchant to provide a 1-year core component warranty. During the negotiation, you can put forward additional conditions such as "including third-party inspection fees, package ownership transfer and confirmation of intelligent rights unbinding" to reduce subsequent costs.

2. Contract Signing: Highlight Key Clauses

Must sign the national unified "Used Car Sales Contract" and avoid the merchant's self-made contract. Focus on clarifying three core clauses: first, vehicle condition commitment, clearly stating that the vehicle has no major accidents, no flooding, no odometer tampering, no hidden faults in the engine, gearbox and electronic control system, and the original owner has completed the unbinding of intelligent network connection rights. If the inspection finds inconsistencies, the merchant must fully refund and compensate for the inspection fee and maintenance costs; second, ownership transfer time, agreeing to complete the transfer within 3-7 working days after signing the contract, and the merchant shall pay liquidated damages for each day of delay; third, warranty clause, clarifying that the engine, gearbox and electronic control system enjoy a 6-month/10,000-kilometer warranty, and the scope of warranty and claim settlement process are clearly defined. When signing the contract, the owner must sign in person, check that the signature is consistent with the ID card, record audio and video throughout the process, and keep the original contract, copies of both parties' ID cards and proof of intelligent rights unbinding.

3. Payment Method: Prioritize Safe Transactions

Prioritize bank transfer or third-party payment platform transfer, and note "used Mercedes-Benz E300L purchase money + license plate number" in the transfer remarks to retain the transfer voucher. Avoid cash transactions to prevent disputes such as "unreceived payment". If applying for installment payment, choose formal financial institutions such as banks, sign a detailed loan contract, and clearly clarify the repayment amount, repayment period, interest rate, prepayment liquidated damages and other information. Reject verbal commitments and ensure that all terms are written into the contract. After payment, ask the merchant to issue a formal receipt, indicating the amount received, the reason for receipt and the date of receipt. For official certified used cars, confirm the relevant procedures of "original price repurchase" if applicable .

4. Ownership Transfer: Follow Up Throughout the Process

Ownership transfer is the key link to obtain legal ownership of the vehicle. The required materials include: ID cards of both buyers and sellers, vehicle driving license, registration certificate, compulsory traffic insurance policy, used car sales contract, third-party inspection report and proof of intelligent rights unbinding. The transfer process: first go to the vehicle management office for vehicle inspection (verify the vehicle identification code, engine number and other information), then go to the business hall to handle the transfer procedures, pay the transfer fee, and collect the new driving license and registration certificate. In 2025, many cities have opened online transfer channels, which can submit materials through the vehicle management office's official website or APP, and collect documents offline after online approval, which is more efficient. After the transfer is completed, it is necessary to timely change the beneficiary of the vehicle insurance, and go to the Mercedes-Benz 4S store to confirm the binding of intelligent network connection rights and the validity of after-sales services to avoid disputes in subsequent use .

IV. Post-Purchase Maintenance: Scientific Maintenance to Extend Service Life

The Mercedes-Benz E300L has strict requirements for post-maintenance, and scientific maintenance can effectively reduce failure risks and extend the vehicle's service life. It is recommended to complete the following five things within one month after picking up the car, especially focusing on the maintenance of electronic systems and precision components.

1. Comprehensive Maintenance: Replace Key Fluids and Wear Parts

Regardless of whether the merchant claims "recent maintenance", it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive maintenance at an official 4S store or a professional repair shop. Focus on the following items: replace fully synthetic engine oil (recommended to use Mercedes-Benz original 0W-20 oil), oil filter, air filter and air conditioning filter; check the gearbox oil, brake fluid, coolant and power steering oil, and replace them in time if the fluid is deteriorated or the level is insufficient (the 9AT gearbox oil of E300L needs to be replaced every 60,000-80,000 kilometers, and if the previous maintenance record is unclear, it is recommended to replace it immediately); check the tires, brake pads and brake discs, and replace them directly if there is excessive wear or cracks; for models with M274 engine, focus on checking the oil seal and timing chain, and replace the aging parts in time. The cost of comprehensive maintenance is about 2500-4500 yuan, which can effectively eliminate potential faults caused by improper previous maintenance.

2. Deep Cleaning: Improve Driving Experience

Carry out deep cleaning on the vehicle, including interior detailing (clean seats, carpets and center console, maintain leather seats with professional leather care products, and clean the gap of the central control screen to avoid dust accumulation affecting heat dissipation), air conditioning system cleaning (replace air conditioning filter, clean evaporator and sterilize and deodorize) and engine compartment cleaning (remove oil stains and dust with professional tools, and check for aging wires and oil leakage). For vehicles with a long service life, it is recommended to wax or coat the body to protect the paint surface, and check the tightness of the panoramic sunroof seal to prevent water leakage. The cost of deep cleaning is about 1500-3000 yuan, which can significantly improve the driving environment and vehicle appearance.

3. Fault Diagnosis: Professional Detection of Core Components

Go to the Mercedes-Benz 4S store to conduct a professional fault diagnosis using special diagnostic equipment, focusing on detecting the engine, gearbox, electronic control system and intelligent driving auxiliary system, reading hidden fault codes, and checking whether the fuel injector, gearbox control unit and sensor work normally. Confirm again whether all recall items have been completed and whether the intelligent network connection rights are normally bound. Even if the third-party inspection shows that the vehicle condition is good, this step is still necessary to avoid missed detection of potential faults. The diagnostic cost is about 800-1500 yuan, which is a necessary investment for peace of mind.

4. Insurance Configuration: Purchase on Demand

After the ownership transfer, configure the vehicle insurance in a timely manner. Compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory. For commercial insurance, it is recommended to purchase vehicle damage insurance, third-party liability insurance (insured amount of more than 5 million yuan) and non-deductible insurance for the Mercedes-Benz E300L. For models with L2-level intelligent driving auxiliary system, you can appropriately add insurance related to intelligent driving. Considering the high maintenance cost of luxury cars, it is optional to purchase additional component insurance for expensive electronic components. Avoid blindly purchasing "full insurance" and also do not save money by giving up key insurance types. The annual commercial insurance cost is about 6000-12000 yuan, which can provide comprehensive protection for subsequent use.

5. Daily Maintenance: Develop Good Habits

Develop good daily driving and maintenance habits: regularly check the engine oil level and coolant level, and avoid driving with insufficient oil or coolant; avoid sudden acceleration and sudden braking, which can reduce the wear of the gearbox and brake system; regularly clean the air filter and fuel injector to ensure the engine's power output; pay attention to the use of the intelligent system, avoid upgrading the vehicle system at will to prevent incompatibility; when the vehicle is not in use for a long time, start it once a week and run it for 10-15 minutes to avoid battery depletion (the electronic components of luxury cars consume more power). It is recommended to conduct regular maintenance every 10,000 kilometers, and choose official 4S stores or professional repair shops with Mercedes-Benz maintenance experience. Keep complete maintenance records, which is conducive to maintaining the value of the vehicle when reselling.

The used Mercedes-Benz E300L is a cost-effective choice for consumers who pursue luxury texture and business dignity, but it is necessary to grasp the core points of vehicle condition identification and post-purchase maintenance. As long as you accurately position your needs (select Fashion/Luxury/Premium Edition according to usage scenarios), strictly check the vehicle condition (focus on engine oil leakage, electronic system faults and intelligent rights unbinding), standardize transaction operations and do a good job in scientific maintenance, you can easily get a high-quality used Mercedes-Benz E300L. If you have questions about the evaluation of specific years of the Mercedes-Benz E300L, the judgment of electronic system faults or the confirmation of official certified used car rights, you can consult further with specific information to help you complete the purchase more smoothly.