Despite the cars' solidity, bidders methodically check the known W126 rust areas: wheel arches, jack points, windshield corners, the rear window channel and lower rear glass area, plus undercarriage surface corrosion. Southern and single-region cars are favored, and undercarriage rust visibly suppresses bidding even when the rest of the car is clean.
Rust inspection points
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126) · buying