Approved used 12mth warranty - if serviced myself?

[MancRick101]

I bought a used E class last June, 4 years old, from a Merc dealership with the usual 12 month approved used warranty.

No problems but 7-8 months later, the service light came on (A7 service required) which I was expecting. I was a bit upset that it hadn’t been serviced at the time of purchase (inc transmission fluid) but they had serviced it earlier and the car had sat there for a few months due to last year's first lockdown.

I assume this is normal, ie tough lock if it needs a service and ATF change within the first year after purchasing.

I do most of the servicing myself and have changed the oil twice since buying the car (I like to change oil and filter every 5k miles).

It got me wondering, if I needed to make a warranty claim, would MB refuse on the basis that I haven’t kept up with the official Mb service schedule (I have but as far as their computers will be concerned, I haven’t)?

It sounds like the type of clause MB would slide into their warranty t&c’s? Hopefully not.

I am aware that Mobile roadside assist will no longer be available but wondered about servicing.

Secondly, I have discovered that an A7 service requires an ATF change, so will be looking to book in with an Indy for this very soon (the car is almost 5 years old and has done 29k and I know that the 7g+ ATF is triggered at 5 years.

As I say, I hopefully won’t need to get any warranty repairs carried out but it just struck me that I may have jeopardised the warranty by servicing the oil and filter myself.

Can anybody confirm?

Thanks in advance

 

[MancRick101]

Also, the car tells me each time that I am overdue an A7 service - i know roughly how to reset the service interval, but is it possible to tell the car that I’ve changed the oil and filter, but not the ATF yet?

 

[Dryce]

It got me wondering, if I needed to make a warranty claim, would MB refuse on the basis that I haven’t kept up with the official Mb service schedule (I have but as far as their computers will be concerned, I haven’t)?

It sounds like the type of clause MB would slide into their warranty t&c’s? Hopefully not.

I am aware that Mobile roadside assist will no longer be available but wondered about servicing.

Check the Ts & Cs you actually have.

On the website under 'Section 5' the Ts & Cs reads as:

Servicing Your Mercedes-BenzServicing of all vehicles must be carried out in accordance with vehicle manufacturer recommendations. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, oils and other fluids or parts, oils and other fluids of equivalent specification and matching quality must be used. Failure to comply with this condition will result in a warranty claim being rejected.

Your Mercedes-Benz Service Booklet should be stamped, dated and detailed with the correct mileage at the time of service by the servicing repairer or an alternative supplier.

A maximum allowance of 1,000 miles or 4 weeks is allowed either side of the stipulated service schedule.

This looks a little bit loose and open to interpretation.

The AU warranty isn't what it used to be - it feels more like a third party aftermarket insurance product these days.

 

[bob6600]

You cannot reset it to tell the car that just an oil service has been done and not the ATF - resetting it will make the car assume the complete service has been carried out.

The oil changed you have done in between do not count. I believe it has to be done at a VAT registered garage and the DSB updated to validate the warranty

 

[roviw1]

When I bought my approved used Mercedes I asked the dealer about the warranty and he mentioned, and I found in the small print at the time, that providing the genuine parts and oil was used and it was done by a bona fida independent that was VAT registered then the warranty would stand.
This was two years ago last month.

 

[AMGeed]

When I bought my approved used Mercedes I asked the dealer about the warranty and he mentioned, and I found in the small print at the time, that providing the genuine parts and oil was used and it was done by a bona fida independent that was VAT registered then the warranty would stand.
This was two years ago last month.

This is true, and the independent would have to enter the service on the DSR to show Mercedes the service had been carried out.
Changing the oil yourself will not keep a full Mercedes dealer service history.

 

[markjay]

Also keep in mind that a service done to MB schedule involves more than engine oil and filter change. MB will want to see the service done by a garage that will know how the carry-out all of the various inspections included in the schedule. Spotting an issue early-on can prevent an expensive warranty claim further down the line.

 

[markjay]

On balance, I think your best bet is to get a specialist to do both the Service A and the ATF, until the AU warranty expires, then do as you please after that.

Alternatively, look at purchasing a Service Care Plan for the next 2 services, which will cover this Service A + ATF, and the next Service B + brake fluid and cabin filter.