C63 Missed Service

[16vintegrale]

My first post and not a happy one.

I've just purchased an approved used 2008 C63 from a main dealer and I've been informed today (after requesting the service history prior to purchase) that there is no record of a service until 2010 @ circa 33k miles! I was also told on collection that the service book was in the car, I checked when I got home and it wasn't. I requested the electronic print off as they couldn't find the book and it's taken them three days to tell me the above. So it's definitely missed one may be two services. My gut feeling is that they knew this all along.

What do you think I should do? I went to a main dealer so I didn't have to mess around checking these things. It's got to have devalued the car in terms of resale and I can imagine the hassle of trying to sell it privately in say two years.

To say it's put a downer on the purchase of such an amazing car is an understatement!

 

[developer]

Assuming what you have been told is correct, I'd be talking to MB UK, if you get no joy with the sales manager - the guy in the office, in charge of the sales executives.

Also, as an approved used, you have an exchange period, should you decide it's not for you (as I think I would).

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Sorry to hear this, there was another similar thread from someone else looking to buy an approved used C63, although in his case I believe they found the history before they completed the deal.

As it's an approved used car I'd be inclined to reject it or get them to give you a 2 year service pack and an extended warranty.

You really need to speak with them about this. It is possible that it could have been serviced by a non Mercedes garage.

Firstly was it advertised as having a full service history? If that the case that you were told (assuming you were or better still have an advert or other document that states this) that the car had a full service history.

As it apparently hasn't got FSH tell them that you need written assurance that Mercedes and/or the dealership will warrant that the lack of service history will not invalidate any future claims under your warranty.

Mercedes-Benz UK - Used Cars - Vehicle benefits

 

[16vintegrale]

Thanks for the reply. The sales manager is supposed to be giving me a response by Wednesday. I suppose there are four options, keep it, get a full refund, they discount the vehicle or I make use of the 30day/1000 mile exchange option. All of these are a hassle I didn't want and have ruined the experience.

 

[wemorgan]

MB have a look-up table that details the devaluation of a missed service history for lease cars. IIRC it's on average £1k per missed service.

 

[developer]

Thanks for the reply. The sales manager is supposed to be giving me a response by Wednesday. I suppose there are four options, keep it, get a full refund, they discount the vehicle or I make use of the 30day/1000 mile exchange option. All of these are a hassle I didn't want and have ruined the experience.

I feel for you - I bought an approved used and the front wheel was buckled.

It ruined the day for me, and it's minor compared with your situation .

I'd let them find you another, with a very sweet deal, thereby you still end up driving a C63 and they do all the legwork in finding you a car.

Can you name the dealer?

 

[16vintegrale]

Sorry to hear this, there was another similar thread from someone else looking to buy an approved used C63, although in his case I believe they found the history before they completed the deal.

As it's an approved used car I'd be inclined to reject it or get them to give you a 2 year service pack and an extended warranty.

You really need to speak with them about this. It is possible that it could have been serviced by a non Mercedes garage.

Firstly was it advertised as having a full service history? If that the case that you were told (assuming you were or better still have an advert or other document that states this) that the car had a full service history.

As it apparently hasn't got FSH tell them that you need written assurance that Mercedes and/or the dealership will warrant that the lack of service history will not invalidate any future claims under your warranty.

Mercedes-Benz UK - Used Cars - Vehicle benefits

I think my main concern is resale if I choose to resell privately in two years. I've paid for the two year service pack, so I suppose that could be used for negotiation along with the extended warranty.

I can't find the original advert now so I can't confirm that it was advertised as FSH but I do have the email requesting the history 2 weeks prior to purchase. The response I got was an electronic print out of the last service which the dealer did and an excuse saying the system was down and couldn't get the rest! Now I know why!

 

[16vintegrale]

Interesting, never knew this but is that £1k relevant to AMG models? I can imagine it has more of a detrimental effect on these types of vehicles.

 

[16vintegrale]

I feel for you - I bought an approved used and the front wheel was buckled.

It ruined the day for me, and it's minor compared with your situation .

I'd let them find you another, with a very sweet deal, thereby you still end up driving a C63 and they do all the legwork in finding you a car.

Can you name the dealer?

I think my gut feeling is to let them find me another.

I can't see any reason why I can't name them but at this stage I may wait until I get response and then atleast it gives them the opportunity to sort this.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Interesting, never knew this but is that £1k relevant to AMG models? I can imagine it has more of a detrimental effect on these types of vehicles.

I would guess that it would impact the value by about that, so at least 2k in your case.

Options wise is yours highly specced, does it have the performance pack etc.

Although it's a hassle and it sours the feeling I'd be most inclined to reject the car under the 30 day /1000 mile limit. You need to push this from the outset. The dealer will not really want to take it back and will most likely offer to refund you for the service pack - that in my opinion isn't enough. Even getting a substantial discount would still leave me concerned, as you said future resale would be a major concern for me, especially on a car such as an AMG.

I would strongly suggest that you request that you wish to return the car under the approved used exchange scheme.

 

[16vintegrale]

I would guess that it would impact the value by about that, so at least 2k in your case.

Options wise is yours highly specced, does it have the performance pack etc.

Although it's a hassle and it sours the feeling I'd be most inclined to reject the car under the 30 day /1000 mile limit. You need to push this from the outset. The dealer will not really want to take it back and will most likely offer to refund you for the service pack - that in my opinion isn't enough. Even getting a substantial discount would still leave me concerned, as you said future resale would be a major concern for me, especially on a car such as an AMG.

I would strongly suggest that you request that you wish to return the car under the approved used exchange scheme.

No it doesn't have the performance pack, it didn't really concern me too much. I can imagine trying to get £2k out of them will be a nightmare, so I agree and will probably reject it. I'm absolutely gutted though as the car is fanatstic! I just don't want the hassle come resale.

 

[st13phil]

MB have a look-up table that details the devaluation of a missed service history for lease cars. IIRC it's on average £1k per missed service.

That's interesting and useful info.

The car has a 12,500 mile / 12 month service interval, so if the first recorded service is at 33k miles, logically it has missed two services. Personally I think that's an unlikely scenario, but based on lack of any evidence to the contrary, that has to be your assumption. Assuming that the vehicle was either explicitly or implicitly described as having FSH (i.e. it was specifically advertised as such, or there's a statement to the effect that "all MB Approved Used cars have a full MB service history") then you would have grounds to reject the car on the basis that it is not as described.

Only you can decide what you'd be happy with as a resolution. Personally, if the car is otherwise a good example and the spec you want, I'd be minded to accept something like a further year's extension of the warranty (to include written confirmation that the missing service history will not be a bar to any future claim), the next two services for free by way of refunding you for the service package, and a modest cash sweetener of around £1k - £2k.

In another 2 years it will be a 9 year old car and any gaps in the service history - especially if you retain the paper trail now - isn't going to significantly affect the value.

 

[developer]

In another 2 years it will be a 9 year old car and any gaps in the service history - especially if you retain the paper trail now - isn't going to significantly affect the value.

Maybe not the value Phil, but the desirability.

I wouldn't buy a C63 that hadn't been serviced for 33K.

 

[16vintegrale]

That's interesting and useful info.

The car has a 12,500 mile / 12 month service interval, so if the first recorded service is at 33k miles, logically it has missed two services. Personally I think that's an unlikely scenario, but based on lack of any evidence to the contrary, that has to be your assumption. Assuming that the vehicle was either explicitly or implicitly described as having FSH (i.e. it was specifically advertised as such, or there's a statement to the effect that "all MB Approved Used cars have a full MB service history") then you would have grounds to reject the car on the basis that it is not as described.

Only you can decide what you'd be happy with as a resolution. Personally, if the car is otherwise a good example and the spec you want, I'd be minded to accept something like a further year's extension of the warranty (to include written confirmation that the missing service history will not be a bar to any future claim), the next two services for free by way of refunding you for the service package, and a modest cash sweetener of around £1k - £2k.

In another 2 years it will be a 9 year old car and any gaps in the service history - especially if you retain the paper trail now - isn't going to significantly affect the value.

I've had the car 6 days, no issues so far other than the history. The car is immaculate bodywork and interior wise. I don't think I'm thinking along the lines of rejecting it and getting my money back route, just taking advantage of the 30day/1000 mile exchange offer that Mercedes give you.

I'll have to see what they come up with but £1-£2k refund and free servicing and maybe extend the warranty I would be tempted to keep it but I can't imagine they will go that far.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Maybe not the value Phil, but the desirability.

I wouldn't buy a C63 that hadn't been serviced for 33K.

+1

FSH in my view is a car that has been serviced according to the manufacturers specification and schedule. When looking at used cars, I've come across many cars (especially as they're older) that are advertised as FSH and haven't been serviced for more than 30k miles or 2 years. Don't even get me started on full dealer history!

 

[wemorgan]

I've just checked my lease documents. The charge for a missed service is £990 for A-class to £1500 for a R-class. All it then says is that prices are likely to increase for AMG models.

Hope this helps.

 

[16vintegrale]

+1

FSH in my view is a car that has been serviced according to the manufacturers specification and schedule. When looking at used cars, I've come across many cars (especially as they're older) that are advertised as FSH and haven't been serviced for more than 30k miles or 2 years. Don't even get me started on full dealer history!

This is my worry, I can imagine there will be a few on offer in a couple of years and mine has a reason not to buy it or knock me down on price.

My annoyance is I think they knew it was missing, they'd had the car atleast 4 weeks prior to me buying it, maybe longer.

 

[16vintegrale]

I've just checked my lease documents. The charge for a missed service is £990 for A-class to £1500 for a R-class. All it then says is that prices are likely to increase for AMG models.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that info, that gives me some decent ammunition!

 

[Jas C63]

Have you got the previous keepers details on the log book, maybe you could try contacting them to check about services as it could have been serviced by an independent but obviously the lack of a service book is a problem. In 2012 mercedes switched to a digital service record so unless the car was serviced at a main agent they will have no record. It's not uncommon for dealers to lose service books it's staggering really.
I hope you get the outcome you deserve pal.

 

[st13phil]

Maybe not the value Phil, but the desirability.

I wouldn't buy a C63 that hadn't been serviced for 33K.

I understand your logic, but I'd be surprised if it really had missed two services that early in its life.

Also, in practical terms (and with due respect to the OP), if he were to negotiate something like I suggested he will have two years risk-free motoring with near zero servicing costs, and (say) £2k in his pocket that will make his 9 year old C63 10-15% cheaper than other cars when he wants to move it on.