03 W211 270 cdi and failed glycol test

[Rory]

Rory,
I am saying I disagree with your suggestions and have asked for factual documented examples regarding Mercedes-Benz!. Why suggest a legal recourse and then back down? I accept the dealer supplied the car, but any warranty that came with the car has expired?

The point I'm trying to make is that the warranty is irrelevent. The only benefit is that it makes it easier to get repairs done which you probably be legally entitled to anyway.
This article has lots of relevant info:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page28058.html
(note the sentence "Warranty or no warranty, consumers have their normal rights under sale of goods legislation to expect that any goods they buy (including cars) are satisfactory quality."

I would most certainly use the softly softly approach first (and second etc) but it's useful to know that if all else fails you have the weight of the law behind you.

Ultimately, the only way to enforce these issues is to get the repair done, pay for it, then sue for the cost. I don't personally know anyone who has done that, but it's generally said that these things are settled before they come to court. Although the case wouldn't be binding, MB (or one of its dealers) wouldn't want to be seen to lose such a case (they probably wouldn't want to be seen to win one either, imagine the bad publicity there).

 

[glojo]

Hi Rory,
Lots of very good points

Regards,
John

 

[panason1c]

The post below is from a member on another MB forum......Note the rad' only lasted 2 years/30k !!.... "a common fault"


http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=15312&highlight=valeo

......I thought it was worth sharing what the solution was to this, because I would never have guessed it.

When MB got involved they knew the problem striaght off, a leak in the radiator allowing a little water into the ATF. This is enough to damage the gearbox and cause vibration at speed.

The good news is that the new radiator and auto box is all warranty work so no charge to my friend, the bad news is that the dealership recognised the problem immediately as it was a "common" fault.

How can a radiator only last 2 years / 30K!!!

Mark.