A 240D is a fine car for local use and this one looks to be clean and
without rust. Some owner added the headlights, it looks otherwise to be
a USA spec car. (European delivery is simply delivery in Europe of a new
USA spec car that one orders here; after its European use the car is
shipped to the local ordering dealer, cleaned up and delivered again to
you.)

The ideal used car will have all its maintenance and repair records,
very few do, so one has to evaluate the car. The condition of any diesel
engine can be determined by a compression test. The condition of the
steering and driveline can be judged by a mechanic's inspection. Rust is
a factor so be sure there is none.

That said, the most important aspect is this model's limited power - 68
H.P.. OK for local driving and non-competitive freeways but if you need
to accelerate to 65 mph on short acceleration ramps this car can't do
that, especially if it's an automatic; the 4 speed stick is marginally
better.

The 240D is a tough little workhorse but think German taxi economy, not
American luxury car. It's a bit noisy and vibrates a lot at idle. It's a
pretty simple car and that's its attraction to many DIY owners.

Rust of course:
Look at the sunroof frame inside from the roof top,
the little body part between the rear doors and the
rear wheel arches, the wheel arches, the door sills
and especially the car jack holes, the little grooves
in the front fenders at the corners below the bumper/
the front turn signals, in the engine compartment
at the wheel houses and the A-pillars, that is the
parts inside close to the windshield and also look
at the doors, especially their undersides.

Apart from that all things electrical should be
checked, especially the Tempomat (if any, with these
cars only available with auto trans, not with manual
trans), the the air condition and the power windows
(if any).

Also check if the vacuum system for e.g. the
central power locking is intact, it also controls
things like engine shut-off, headlight adjustment
(at least with the European versions) and automatic
transmission gear changes.

Another part wearing out easily is the steering
box, when aging steering play become get too much,
sometimes the speedo cable may cause weird speedo
indications and sometimes the odometer is broken,
especially the trip meter - and the water hoses
between the water cooler and the engine may be
too old, one can see cracks then.

All other things to be checked are as with any old
used car.

Juergen - W123 diesels since 1983