Man turns $2,147 into $10,737 by flipping a totaled Mercedes CLA
Published on Dec 20, 2025 at 2:46 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Dec 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A UK YouTuber has revealed how he turned a totaled Mercedes CLA that cost just over $2,000 into a tidy profit of more than $10,000.
YouTuber Joe James explained how he came across the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 AMG Line, which was a total wreck, with pretty severe damage.
Despite the damage, James felt like he could repair it and sell it on for a tidy profit, which would be a miracle given the state of it.
However, worse cars have been repaired, and so this Mercedes did stand a fighting chance.
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The Mercedes CLA was in very bad condition
It was clear from the start of the video that this Mercedes had sustained significant damage.
Most of the bodywork damage was at the front of the car.
The bumper had been destroyed, and the radiator was visibly bent inward.
Some bodywork damage did occur towards the back of the Mercedes, with various scratches visible.
The catalytic converter had suffered some damage, but the rest of the engine looked okay.
As the CLA has a big front crumple zone, most of the internals had survived the accident.
Despite all of the problems, Joe James was incredibly keen to get this car on the road again.
The question, of course, was whether he would actually be able to do that.
The Mercedes looked like a different car when it was finished
Incredibly, James made superb progress on the car as restoration continued.
A new intercooler was sourced, and the catalytic converter was replaced, as was the old crash bar.
Naturally, the most visible repairs to the Mercedes CLA were to the bodywork.
The amount of damage the car had clearly suffered was quite frightening.
Yet James sourced plenty of new parts, and the new front bodywork was added to the car.
All that he was missing at the time of filming was a front grille, which had not arrived yet.
All this work should mean the CLA goes from a car worth just $2,147 to one worth well over $10,000.
That is impressive, given the condition it was in when he got his hands on it.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
