The Mercedes-Benz 165+ Point Inspection: What Our Technicians Check
A thorough inspection is the foundation of long-term reliability. For a pre-owned luxury vehicle, a standard visual check is not enough. Mercedes-Benz uses a 165+ point inspection instead. It is a detailed, systematic review of every major system, from the powertrain to the smallest interior feature.
What the 165+ Point Inspection Covers
Systems and Components
Mercedes-Benz authorized technicians start with the exterior. They confirm the structure and appearance meet the standards Mercedes-Benz sets for certification. Inside, they review the finishes, seat belts, and flooring.
Next come the working parts. Technicians check the electrical systems, engine, fluids, filters, and transmission. They also inspect the undercarriage, drivetrain, chassis, and body. Tires must be Mercedes-Benz approved. All recall campaigns and standard services are completed before the vehicle is ready for the road.
The Road Test
Inspection does not end in the service bay. Each vehicle must also prove itself on the road. Technicians evaluate the steering, brakes, suspension, drive shaft, and ride quality. They listen closely for noise and vibration. An unusual sound can point to wear that a stationary check would miss. A post-road-test inspection follows.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts
If a component does not meet factory standards, it is repaired or replaced. The work uses genuine Mercedes-Benz parts matched to the original build. Weighing that choice for a vehicle you already own? Our guide to Mercedes-Benz OEM parts versus aftermarket parts covers the trade-offs.
The information in this article is general guidance and does not constitute a specific diagnostic or repair recommendation for any individual vehicle. Repair and maintenance decisions should be made in consultation with a certified technician based on the specific condition of your vehicle.
Which Vehicles Qualify for Certification
Not every trade-in is a candidate. Mercedes-Benz sets the eligibility bar before a technician ever opens the hood.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Model year | Six model years or newer |
| Mileage | Less than 75,000 miles |
| Service history | Maintained according to the Mercedes-Benz service schedule |
| Vehicle history | CARFAX® Vehicle History Report included |
| Inspection | Must pass the 165+ point inspection and road test |
The history report is pulled before the mechanical work begins. It confirms ownership records, service history, and mileage.
How Electrified Vehicles Are Inspected
Electrified vehicles follow a different path. Mercedes-Benz applies the 165+ point inspection to certain certified vehicles with internal combustion engines. Vehicles with fully electric drive systems are inspected against a different set of points. Details also vary by vehicle type, age, mileage, or other factors. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details.
One distinction is worth knowing. Mild-hybrid models use a 48-volt system paired with an integrated starter-generator, which Mercedes-Benz once marketed as EQ Boost. That is not the same as the high-voltage traction battery in a fully electric vehicle. The two are not evaluated the same way.
How a Dealer Inspection Differs From California’s State Inspections
Drivers often assume a dealership inspection and a state-mandated inspection are the same thing. They are not. California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair runs two separate programs. Neither one replaces the other. Neither replaces the certification inspection done at the dealership.
| Inspection | Who Performs It | What It Covers | When It Is Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 165+ Point Inspection | Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer technicians | Exterior structure and appearance, interior finishes, engine compartment, electrical systems, undercarriage and drivetrain, chassis and body, plus a road test and post-road-test check | Before a vehicle can be sold as Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned |
| Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection | Licensed technicians at Bureau of Automotive Repair licensed stations | Body structure, brakes and lights, passenger compartment, steering and suspension, tires and wheels, plus an on-board diagnostics scan, an open-recall check, and a road test | To register a revived salvage vehicle with the DMV, along with certain other vehicles such as specially constructed vehicles and motorcycles |
| California Smog Check | Licensed Smog Check stations | Visual and functional inspection of the emissions control system, plus an on-board diagnostics check on most 2000 and newer vehicles | Every other year at registration renewal and at change of ownership, subject to model year exceptions |
What This Means When You Buy
Two model year exceptions matter most. Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles eight model years and newer skip the Smog Check for registration renewal. Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles four model years and newer skip it for a change of ownership. There are no model year exceptions for diesel vehicles.
One rule is specific to dealerships. A vehicle bought from a dealership must have passed a Smog Check within the past two years. A vehicle bought from a private seller must have passed within the last 90 days.
Common Questions About the 165+ Point Inspection
Does the 165+ point inspection include California Smog Check compliance?
No. A Smog Check is a separate, state-licensed test performed at a licensed Smog Check station. According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles eight model years and newer skip the Smog Check for registration renewal and pay a smog abatement fee instead. To find the first year one is due, add eight to the model year. Our service department can help you confirm what your vehicle requires.
Are California’s vehicle safety systems inspections different from a dealer inspection?
Yes. The vehicle safety systems inspection is a state program, performed by licensed technicians at licensed stations. It is required to register a revived salvage vehicle. It checks body structure, brakes and lights, the passenger compartment, steering and suspension, and tires and wheels. It also includes an on-board diagnostics scan, an open-recall check, and a road test. A dealership inspection is not a state-mandated inspection and serves a different purpose.
What are the eligibility standards before a vehicle is inspected?
Mercedes-Benz limits certification to models six years or newer with fewer than 75,000 miles. The vehicle must have been serviced according to the maintenance schedule. It must also come with a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report. Tires must be Mercedes-Benz approved, and all recall campaigns and standard services are completed before delivery.
Should I contact the dealership before visiting to ask about the inspection?
We recommend it. Calling ahead lets our team confirm which vehicles have completed inspection. It also gives us time to have the history report and inspection documentation ready when you arrive.
Talk to Our Service Team
A 165+ point inspection is detailed work, and the documentation behind it is available to you. You may want to see what was checked on a particular vehicle. You may have questions about maintenance on a Mercedes-Benz you already own. Either way, our factory-trained team at 1111 Wagner Drive is here to help, and you can reach our service department at (888) 837-5892. You can also review our current service specials and parts specials before your visit.