It’s not exactly easy to find great deals on Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens. Since older models look nearly identical to newer examples, the old trucks hold their value fairly well. Even G-Classes from the early 2000s with 200,000 miles can sell for over $20,000. That’s why we’re so flabbergasted by this G-Wagen, which just traded hands for the measly sum of $5,000.
That might be a good deal for a Miata, but for a G-Class, it’s unheard of. There’s no way this is a running, driving truck, right? Well, the first time we see this G500, it’s already moving under its own power, albeit thanks to a jump pack, as the battery was fully dead. The G Wheel’n YouTube channel captured the entire buying process, giving us a close look at everything wrong with this SUV. And it’s not as much as you’d think.
Aside from all the dirt, it’s hard to spot many problems. There are no signs of obvious crash damage, and every body panel is the same color. The wheels and tires look to be in good condition, and all the glass is present and accounted for.
The real reason this G-Wagen was so cheap? Rust. It’s the main culprit for why these SUVs end up in the junkyard, and this one has its fair share. The space under the windshield, the rocker panels, and a few spots on the rear fascia are exhibiting some serious corrosion issues. But if you peek under the car, the frame rails are totally rust-free, at least from what the video shows.
There are other problems with this G, of course. The instrument cluster displays a flurry of warning lights, including for low oil, low coolant, and malfunctioning taillights. But those are all fixable, provided the engine is healthy.
All things considered, we’d say the buyer made out like a bandit here. The rust might be a pain to fix, but it’s not like the whole chassis is rotted out. All cleaned up, this is a $25,000 truck. And it wouldn’t take that much money to fix. Sadly, the new owner has other plans that involve parting out the drivetrain to finish some other projects.
Not every G-Class can be saved, it seems.