Advice - Would you avoid a car missing a service?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
If it's had a couple of services since, and a full one from a decent garage since, then surely they would have picked up anything?

Right price, yes go for it
 
Is it the same for people who have used an independent garage rather than the Mercedes garage?
 
Is it the same for people who have used an independent garage rather than the Mercedes garage?

I'd rather see a service stamp from a known independant than the main dealer.
At least with an indy you know the work is actually being done.
 
Bought 16 Bosch plugs for my 55 yesterday - sub £94 delivered (ECP). Takes about an hour to change and a very basic toolkit. Save yourself some money and do it yourself. Can't be an easier job on the M113 than plugs.

Oil and filter are easier and a drive belt.... if you have never done m113 plugs it won't take an hour, especially if there tight there a pita.
 
A bit of an update on the service history....

Service 1 and 2 - carried out by main dealer on time..

Service 3 @ 23k miles (April 2012)- Main dealer - minor service- oil and filter

DSR says next service was 19k late....

Service 4 @ 51k miles (Dec 2014) - Independant specialist... Large service...brake fluid, filters replaced, spark plugs replaced, tramsmission fluid changed..oil filters changed..

Service 5 @ 60k miles ( Dec 15) - Kwik fit , invoice states -MOT, air filter changed, oil change using 5w30 triton oil ( not sure this is suitable oil for the car). Also says spark plugs changed but total invoice is <£200


The above was carried out by the same owner...

The above is all suggesting to me that the car was not cared for as it should have especially for an AMG. Would this also be an indication of the how the car was driven etc...

Thoughts and comments appreciated....
 
Last edited:
So no services recorded in 2012, 2013, and 2014?

Depends on year of registration, but I'd be surprised if the car pre-dates the move back to annual servicing, so it could easily be three missing services.

To add some balance, yes it would put me off. There are plenty more to choose from which have continuous service history.

A bit of an update on the service history....

Service 1 and 2 - carried out by main dealer on time..

Service 3 @ 23k miles (April 2012)- Main dealer - minor service- oil and filter

DSR says next service was 19k late....

Service 4 @ 51k miles (Dec 2014) - Independant specialist... Large service...brake fluid, filters replaced, spark plugs replaced, tramsmission fluid changed..oil filters changed..

Service 5 @ 60k miles ( Dec 15) - Kwik fit , invoice states -MOT, air filter changed, oil change using 5w30 triton oil ( not sure this is suitable oil for the car). Also says spark plugs changed but total invoice is <£200


The above was carried out by the same owner...

The above is all suggesting to me that the car was not cared for as it should have especially for an AMG. Would this also be an indication of the how the car was driven etc...

Thoughts and comments appreciated....

My thoughts are unchanged. Look for another.

Your spidey-sense is telling you that this is not the car for you, so listen to your spidey-sense and look for another.
 
Doesn't mean services have been missed owner could have done them themselves which is what I used to do, you will be able to tell from the drive and condition if its a worry or not, wouldn't bother me if car looked and drove right
 
Would even let them touch my tyres never mind open the bonnet.
 
Thank you for the comments everyone .....

I've decided to walk away .... To many unknowns and will wait for a better example to appear...

Interestingly the car was described as being sold with 'full Mercedes history.
 
Smart move.....
An AMG at Kwik fit ...?
I suspect a different owner to the one who took it to an indy and had the spark plugs changed, so you've more than likely dodged one there.....
 
Don't get all the 'love' for Kwik-Fit. All they did was oil, filter and plugs... Or was he better off paying £1,500 for the same at Mercedes?
 
They said they did the plugs
Odds on, for £200, they didn't......
But driver will have been told they did, so that's wrong and unbecoming of a national business

Also, was the correct oil used..?
Their reputation is not unfounded
 
They said they did the plugs
Odds on, for £200, they didn't......
But driver will have been told they did, so that's wrong and unbecoming of a national business

Also, was the correct oil used..?
Their reputation is not unfounded

I work at kwik fit and I'm deeply sad after reading all this feedback about my work i give my 100% every day...
Can't really understand why so much hate ???
 
Last edited:
It wouldn't put me off, no, but it wouldn't have me racing to buy it either. As ever with any top end car, do your research and only then when you are happy, take the punt. And even then, your well researched, great looking car with FSH could prove a money pit. It all depends. Me I always go with my heart and tend to trust my instinct. One day I'll get burnt, but that's life, you win some and you lose some as the old cliche goes.
 
Been in a similar position when buying my current SLK55 a few months ago.
Had a look at 3 ,test drove, ummed and arrred a bit due to little things that did not seem right. Went away to think about each of them and lost all 3 to someone else who came along...!
Next one I looked at ,although lacking a few bits of equipment I would have liked turned out to be the right car. Still didn't rush into making my decision as there are plenty out there, although I did travel a bit looking at them.
Anyhow bought the last one I looked at and it has been spot on so far.
As said ,you will know when your happy enough to purchase the one you want...
Don't rush it is my advice. If its meant to be it will be....!
Good luck.
 
My E63 was late on its second service. The first owner had it on lease and when he handed it back it was overdue.

Its a Nov 13 car. It goes something like

Service 1 A - MB 5500 November 14
Service 2 A- Dealer I bought from 19000 Mar 16
Service 3 B- MB 32000 Sept 16
Service 4 A- MB 45000 January 17 (also I had the gearbox oil done 5k early at this point to save taking it back again at 50000 miles)

So it had an A at 19000 when it should have had a B. But I read the schedule and nothing major is due at the two year point so it didnt put me off. Plus, the service at 19000 was overdue on calendar rather than miles.

I keep thinking about selling it because I do a lot of miles (see above lol)

If I sell the car I wont be advertising it as full mercedes history but it will also be advertised as the cheapest non-CAT D facelift W212 in the country - as it was when I purchased it.

I advertised it on here in September and some idiot offered me 27k for it. WBAC were offering more than that at the time.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom