Mercedes Servicing Scam ?? NOW WITH RESOLTION

HighC

How many more out there are caught up in this scam ? Please let me know.

Merc advertise 2 year free servicing in their National advertising and I quote from literature received today -"^2 years free servicing is based on a maximum of two consecutive scheduled services..........terms and conditions apply"

Took 6 months to get documentation out of them.

First service completed OK

Service interval is 15,500 miles but they have put a 2 year limit of 24,000 miles so that you do not get the second service and go to great lengths to hide the fact and deceive you.



Second Service -
They refuse to service at 19 months, 24,000 miles because not due on a mileage basis. Then at 23 months with 30,000 they refuse because over 24,000 miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and try to charge £500.

Currently been put off by MB UK Ltd Customer Services and now following Dispute Resolution Process - then heading for Small Claims.

I am a stickler for detail and fought for the documentation. I suspect most people just never receive the original service plan and only find out 2 or 3 years later when it is too late and they have now documentation either.

Also find out after 12 months with useless parking sensors that they have fitted NONE MERCEDES system which others MD dealers refuse to touch because MB computer system does not recognise. Has been in 4 times under warranty and currently has manufacturers foil wrapper off his sandwiched wrapper round the unit to try and improve !!!

hareng

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Hintza

That is interesting, keep us updated please.

I suppose the question thats to be asked when you take one of these out is "how many services does this cover".

Just a thought, is the service schedule not 15,500 or annually (whichever comes first)?

daveyjp

MB servicing on new vehicles is 15,500 miles or annually whichever is first, but with a 24,000 limit you will only get two services if you do less than 24,000 in 2 years.

Audi are the same with their free servicing - due to their variable system you will probably only get one service - saves you about £200, cost to dealership about £50.

grizzly1911

daveyjp wrote: »

MB servicing on new vehicles is 15,500 miles or annually whichever is first, but with a 24,000 limit you will only get two services if you do less than 24,000 in 2 years.

Audi are the same with their free servicing - due to their variable system you will probably only get one service - saves you about £200, cost to dealership about £50.

And the fact it will have been built into the up front pricing.

No such thing as a free lunch.

TCO is the the key and in buying the brand you buy into the service cost to keep the warranty.

Under EU law I understand that you don't have to used franchised dealers these days so may be a bargaining play there.

HighC

I was literally about to buy a new Merc E250 but have been so disgusted by this con and the way their "Customer Services" have handled it, I refuse to buy another in my life.

It is deliberately misleading and in my opinion fraudulent.

Please feel free to contact your local Merc Dealer and speak your mind !

Then buy a Ford. Better quality, better service, better value.

HighC

Hintza wrote: »

That is interesting, keep us updated please.

I suppose the question thats to be asked when you take one of these out is "how many services does this cover".

Just a thought, is the service schedule not 15,500 or annually (whichever comes first)?

Yes 2 years inclusive servicing advertised and the vehicle spec is clearly 15,500 miles or annually , whichever comes first - but then they refuse the second service because over 24,000 miles in 2 years.

Look at the current offer they are running on "C" class which is the same con.

grizzly1911

HighC wrote: »

Yes - but then they refuse because over 24,000 miles in 2 years.
Look at the current offer they are running on "C" class which is the same con.

If it is clearly laid out, however small the print, it isn't a con, just clever advertising.

On the basis you didn't place your order they didn't catch you out so why worry.

Thanks for raising it though.

HighC

grizzly1911 wrote: »

And the fact it will have been built into the up front pricing.

No such thing as a free lunch.

TCO is the the key and in buying the brand you buy into the service cost to keep the warranty.

Under EU law I understand that you don't have to used franchised dealers these days so may be a bargaining play there.

Ah not that simple.

Dealer accepts car for service under your service plan. You sign the instruction for the work. The Franchise dealer does the work on your instruction. You collect the car. A week later the dealer rings to say Mercedes Benz UK Ltd have declined the charge and you will have to pay IRO £500 and they have a signed instruction from you to do the work ....!

HighC

grizzly1911 wrote: »

If it is clearly laid out, however small the print, it isn't a con, just clever advertising.

On the basis you didn't place your order they didn't catch you out so why worry.

Thanks for raising it though.

Sorry - I did not make this clear - this issue is with my existing E220 - now 2 years old so this is a real issue not a "theoretical " advertising loop hole.

The trick is not "clearly laid out" and is not referred to anywhere in the advertising - you then are asked to sign a form at handover to acknowledge the 2 year servicing of which you do not get a copy.

Presumably most people get caught at the first service when they find that they have no documentation to prove they have any entitlement, however I chased for 6 months ( all e-mails to prove) and eventually received the "MB Service Card" which you need to obtain your servicing - and there is no limit stated on there.

I was about to change to a new E250 and have withdrawn

gilbert_and_sullivan

They've got to pay for glass palaces trendy receptionists and umpteen layers of management and knee deep carpet somehow.

Read before signing.