Man Buys Forgotten Mercedes-Benz SL 500 for $1,500 After Owner Forgets Where It Was Parked
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious
In an automotive twist that blurs the line between misfortune and misadventure, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 that had been lost to memory and neglect has found a surprising second life — thanks to YouTuber and car enthusiast Ed Bolian.
The convertible, once a $100,000 flagship of German engineering, had been impounded by authorities after its original owner reportedly forgot where he parked it. Labeled abandoned, the luxury roadster was sold off for a mere $1,500 after racking up an estimated $50,000 in unpaid storage fees. Now, the 22-year-old car has reemerged on YouTube, battered but not completely broken.
Bolian, who runs the popular VINWiki channel and is known for outrageous car tales, spotted the forgotten SL 500 on Facebook Marketplace and couldn't resist the rescue mission. Despite having logged over 153,000 miles and suffering from extensive cosmetic and mechanical issues, the car miraculously still ran — though just barely.
'This thing is mechanically totaled,' Bolian quipped in his video, after coaxing the 5.0-liter V8 to life. The car is riddled with problems: a foggy headlight assembly, splintered bumpers, moldy carpets, shredded leather seats, and electrical gremlins that kept warning lights glowing like a Christmas tree.
But for Bolian, the appeal wasn't just the low price — it was the story. 'You haven't truly lived until your 'new' car tries to kill you on the way home,' he joked. Even the discovery of a copy of the New Testament in the glovebox added an unexpected twist to the tale.
Whether the SL 500 will be restored, flipped, or featured in a future VINWiki escapade remains to be seen. But for now, it's one more unforgettable chapter in the annals of automotive oddities — and perhaps a reminder to always write down where you parked.
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‘Always [Do] Your Diligence:' Facebook Marketplace Customer Buys Car in Walmart Parking Lot. Then His Mechanic Checks the Carfax
A man documenting the start of his own auto dealership posted a viral TikTok showing the pitfalls of Facebook Marketplace car purchases. Anthony (@anthonyv299) begins his video with a recording of an auto shop. Inside the garage is a Toyota Sequoia hoisted high above a group of auto techs. They saunter around the vehicle as the TikToker issues a warning to his viewers. Emphatically, he highlights the car as a prime example of why folks should steer clear of Facebook Marketplace . 'This is why you never buy a car [on] marketplace at a Walmart parking lot at 8 o'clock at night,' he says. Next, he continues with his story. 'My mechanic sent me this video of a customer of his that came to the shop,' he says. At this point in the clip, the cameraman begins to inspect the Sequoia's underbelly. On the right side of the car's front axle, a broken component can be seen jiggling in place. Immediately, it appears that something is off, which Anthony confirms is the case. 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Following this, the person recording the clip shows the disassembled dash component. A finger can be seen hovering over the section that indicates oil levels and warning lights for service issues. Then, the finger lifts up this panel to reveal small pieces of black tape. They've been strategically affixed to the warning lights, effectively blocking them out. At first glance, one would assume that there isn't anything wrong with the car. 'They put … tape all over the lights so that the buyer wouldn't know,' Anthony says. Facebook Marketplace Woes Anthony highlighted this incident as the type of worst-case scenario that can occur with private sales. He urges folks to spend some more money when buying a vehicle by visiting a dealership with a good reputation. He says, 'And these people just screwed him over and now the customer's screwed. He can't do anything about it. You know why? Because he has no information from the seller. 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Power and Associates states that auto techs usually charge anywhere from $100 to $200 to inspect a vehicle. Buyers looking for a car can locate a mechanic who offers this service. Next, they can request that the seller meet them at a shop to inspect the vehicle. This way, the service tech can inform them of any issues to look out for, so they know what they're getting into prior to buying a ride from a private seller. And if the car turns out to be a dud, then it's much better to lose $200 than be on the hook for thousands in repairs. Finally, if you're buying a car privately, be sure to get everything in writing. Verbal agreements are very difficult to enforce or prove in a legal dispute. Used Cars on Facebook Marketplace There's no shortage of horror stories from buyers who've shelled out their hard-earned cash to private sellers. One Redditor shared their own experience on the site's r/AskLawyers sub . 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According to them, just two days into their '02 Chevy Blazer purchase, the car's head gasket began leaking. Furthermore, 'the engine locked up, and the suspension and steering [started] falling apart.' An attorney informed them that their claim for damages 'won't be easy.' That's because 'the law is very different from a car dealer sale.' Moreover, they explained that 'in most states the only obligation on the seller is to answer the buyer's questions honestly.' Additionally, the attorney stated the buyer would need some kind of written statement acknowledged by the seller pertaining to guarantees on the car's performance. Without that, proving fault in court could be a tall order. In any event, however, the legal rep recommended filing a claim sooner rather than later. Putting it off only benefits the seller, who could argue that any damage to the vehicle happened after the sale. Commenters Sound Off Folks who replied to Anthony's video had varying opinions. One person said that buying from a dealer isn't necessarily a safe bet, either. 'Dealerships scam you too,' they penned. Another TikTok user shared that scammers will often try and foist inoperable Toyotas on used car buyers. Presumably, this is due to the manufacturer's reputation for reliability . 'Scams are always in Toyotas, but buyer fault 100%' they wrote. However, there were some folks who said they've previously purchased cars in parking lots from private sellers, and their experiences were actually positive. 'Bought and sold cars in parking lots. No issues,' one wrote. And then there were those who said simple pre-inspection measures could've protected the buyer from purchasing a dud. Purchasing a car diagnostic scanning tool can save used car buyers from costly fixes, as can a Carfax VIN check. 'You can buy on marketplace but clearly bro didn't even use a scanner,' one person wrote. Motor1 has reached out to Anthony via TikTok comment for further information. 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