Bummer about finding out after purchase about an accident.
But it makes sense as to why the airbags were missing.
Did you do a check before you bought it?
Not always conclusive as there are many cars on Copart not registered on the insurance database.
If it is a CAT D/C you should tell your insurance co, it shouldnt affect your premium.
As for expiry dates, Mercs def have expiry dates on their airbags, the sticker is on the door frame ( I think!)
As it starts to come up more often, I would expect more aftermarket suppliers to come in, al la, printer cartridges.
But obviously, pyrotechnics etc are a little more tricky.
i've always done full checks before buying a car, nothing showed up
advised my ins company , just got to send them the final reconditioned ticket when completed
as there's a lot of companies that recondition airbags i'm replacing the entire right hand side , drivers already been done .
as the headlining has to come out all the left hand side will also be replaced through being reconditioned
don't have to worry about them
all impact sensors have been replaced
price of course reflected in the purchase price
when i found out the bags were missing i threatened the garage with court and vosa
they soon changed there minds and refunded money as well
so all in all came out of the deal very good indeed
they wanted shot of it , to be honest couldn't believe my luck when they coughed up
just got to get the cam belts replaced , getting them done later this month
as everything has to come apart for that , the water pump, updated oil casing , tensioners , aux belt , front and rear cam belts will be done
bought it as a project , like a lot of landies get them to fix up