Does approved used car mean a requirement is FSH and it is in line with manufacturer service schedule?

[AS162]

You not trusting the dealership / salesperson is not a valid reason for returning the vehicle , if it has a few scratches then depending on how old the vehicle is or how many miles it has then it maybe deemed consummate with the age / mileage etc.

FWIW , vehicles are put up for sale with the minimum of prep as that takes time and money which eats into their profit so it is unfortunately up to the buyer to point things out that aren`t up to the dealers supposedly high standards , it happened to me.

So , for clarity.

The service history anomaly (if there is one) will be your get out of the sale clause and get your deposit returned - what happens if the car has got a FSH , where do you go next ?

RE the "comprehensive used car warranty" - how can they offer this without the car being serviced in accordance with manufacturers criteria ?

K

That is my concern. I can see him spinning it and saying can’t expect a fair wear and tear for a used car if they do a rubbish job.

That is what happened to me as well which I expected better from approved used. Maybe I placed too much importance on those two words for better quality.

I am not sure if they’ll even give me a copy of the service history given they are ignoring my calls.

I have been trying to find the T&Cs for how a car can be labelled as approved used but it is proving challenging as the main results just states the benefits of approved used cars.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

My expectations were a full service history and the salesperson mentioned it should be as it is approved used (verbal communication).

My concern is the paintwork will not be to satisfactory standard and I don’t know about the quality of work with them replacing the glass window or if other issues will arise from there. When I look back at how he glossed over details and how he was sneaky about how he worded things I just can’t trust them anymore. Also given he said the deposit was refundable but denied it is not really a dealership I want to go with. I had assumed with “approved used” things would be smoother and better quality but it is a joke and I don’t see any difference with used and approved used anymore.

£500, so it is a lot to lose out.

There was no mention of it which is why I asked but he was not able to get the details due to “some issues on the system” but did say full service as it is approved used car.

So the reason you don’t want the car is because of the paintwork damage and glass issue - plus an overarching lack of trust for the salesperson you’re dealing with - rather than a potential unconfirmed issue with the service history.

A couple of questions: (1) Were you aware of the paintwork damage and glass issue when you paid the deposit? (2) Did the dealer say both would be sorted?

If the answer is yes to both questions then you could request a refund of your deposit but be upfront with the dealer and tell them that you have changed your mind.

If the answer to (1) and (2) js no then simply request a refund as you only became aware of these issues after you placed a deposit and had you known about th then you wouldn’t have placed a deposit.

If the answer to (1) is yes and (2) is no then you may find it difficult to get them to fix unless already agreed.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

That is my concern. I can see him spinning it and saying can’t expect a fair wear and tear for a used car if they do a rubbish job.

That is what happened to me as well which I expected better from approved used. Maybe I placed too much importance on those two words for better quality.

I am not sure if they’ll even give me a copy of the service history given they are ignoring my calls.

I have been trying to find the T&Cs for how a car can be labelled as approved used but it is proving challenging as the main results just states the benefits of approved used cars.

If they are ignoring your calls, don’t proceed with the deal and request your deposit back.

 

[AS162]

The Approved Used warranty is not the same as new car warranty, instead it's essentially a mechanical breakdown warranty (I.e. an insurance product), and it all depends on the T&C - " the car being serviced in accordance with manufacturers criteria" may or may not be a prerequisite, I do not know.

There is no where that

So the reason you don’t want the car is because of the paintwork damage and glass issue - plus an overarching lack of trust for the salesperson you’re dealing with - rather than a potential unconfirmed issue with the service history.

A couple of questions: (1) Were you aware of the paintwork damage and glass issue when you paid the deposit? (2) Did the dealer say both would be sorted?

If the answer is yes to both questions then you could request a refund of your deposit but be upfront with the dealer and tell them that you have changed your mind.

If the answer to (1) and (2) js no then simply request a refund as you only became aware of these issues after you placed a deposit and had you known about th then you wouldn’t have placed a deposit.

If the answer to (1) is yes and (2) is no then you may find it difficult to get them to fix unless already agreed.

I was aware of both and salesperson did say they will get it fixed but this was all verbal and reading the T&Cs from the contract it of course is written to suit their side. The T&Cs state certain conditions need to be met to be able to get the deposit back. Of course I’m an idiot and didn’t read through it properly as the salesperson hurriedly went over it with me. I know I should have not gave in to pressure.

 

[AS162]

If they are ignoring your calls, don’t proceed with the deal and request your deposit back.

I have been trying to request it but they are saying it is not refundable

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You knew there was paintwork damage and a glass issue which they said they’d fix when you paid your deposit, and it sounds like they’ve said that they’ll provide the full service history but haven’t yet but there’s nothing to suggest so far that it doesn’t have full service history.

If the paintwork, glass and service history is all sorted, is there anything else which would make you back out of the deal?

Unless I’m missing something, based upon what you’ve written so far it sounds like you’ve changed your mind, and tht the dealer hasn’t done much wrong - depending upon how long you have been trying to contact the sales person.

Regardless of what the T&Cs say, the law will side with you as the consumer and order the dealer to return your deposit if the paintwork, glass and service history are not resolved. The same would probably be true if you have just changed your mind too.

PS If you have changed your mind then just be up front with the dealer and the sooner the better, before they incur cost repairing the items you have mentioned.

 

[Dryce]

RE the "comprehensive used car warranty" - how can they offer this without the car being serviced in accordance with manufacturers criteria ?

They can offer the warranty because it's theirs to offer.

In principle the inspection of the car they claim to perform means that the condition of the car is in their eyes satisfactory and they are willing to offer a warranty on it. If the warranty sold is invalid that is a problem for the dealer.

In practice these schemes are not trustworthy IMO - simply because they don't inspect vehicles as meticulously as they might imply in the blurb. So it's down to the buyer to be careful to lay out requests for information (such as FSH if relevant) and also to very carefully inspect the car before accepting it.

 

[KennyN]

Found this in the extended warranty handbook under claim "exclusions":

5. Faulty repairs, incorrect servicing or failing to have the insured vehicle serviced in line with the manufacturer’s specification.

So basically if the vehicle doesn`t have a FSH as set out by MB then the extended warranty is void from day one , in which case it shouldn`t be offered on that particular vehicle.

K

 

[oldguy57]

I am running into some issues and have been fighting to get my deposit back. Please is anyone able to tell me whether a FSH is required for approved used merc? The salesman had “issues” and was unable to show me the full history but said it is approved used so should have full history. I know I’m an idiot for believing.

I wouldn't blame yourself too much - this Approved Used thing is a thing that many customers fall for. Other manufacturers call it something different. I wouldn't regard AU as any more of an assurance than that from any other used car dealer.

I'd be somewhat suspicious of an MB salesman's inability to provide MB service history - just has to press a few buttons. And we've heard time and time again about MB dealers assurance that things will be fixed prior to collection. Very often they aren't or done to a poor standard. Salesman is hiding info from you.

I'd be walking away as well and I would have thought that the fact that service history is not available would be sufficient grounds to recover your deposit on the basis that you have been misled into entering into the contract, notwithstanding the info in post 9.
I guess it depends how much hassle you feel able to go through to recover £500.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Found this in the extended warranty handbook under claim "exclusions":

5. Faulty repairs, incorrect servicing or failing to have the insured vehicle serviced in line with the manufacturer’s specification.

So basically if the vehicle doesn`t have a FSH as set out by MB then the extended warranty is void from day one , in which case it shouldn`t be offered on that particular vehicle.

K

I think you will find that refers to servicing DURING the warranty period.....not before the sale. That's certainly what it meant at Audi when I was selling them.....what happened before is not the warranty companies concern as long as the vehicle has a proper PDI and outstanding potential warranty faults are sorted BEFORE handover.....so In other words we could not send out a car with a known fault and them claim on the warranty a few weeks later....no Sir....of course not....and that never happened.....not ever!!!
As @Bobby Dazzler said "There is no requirement for a Mercedes-Benz approved used car to have Full Mercedes-Benz Service History."....its just needs to meet approved car standards of age, mileage condition etc....which will allow for fair wear and tear....its not a brand new car after all.

 

[chic0821]

insists that they email you instead.

Bit late, but best advice possible as it protects both you & the salesman. Prevents "he said, she said". By all means have a phone conversation but either ask him to also put it in an email or you do it & ask him to confirm by return. If he does not, copy in the Sales Manager & put the deal on hold until its resolved.
Its easy to drop your guard with the excitement of getting a new car.

 

[KennyN]

I think you will find that refers to servicing DURING the warranty period.....not before the sale.

If an AUC needed a warranty repair and it was found it hadn`t been serviced properly prior to sale then would it still be covered ?

K

 

[ALFAitalia]

Yes....Assuming you mean its service history....rather than the PDI service and inspection, which did need to be done right. Don't forget that the dealer wants these things to be covered under the third party warranty....otherwise if its inside six months he will be liable for the cost of repairs under retail law.....warranty or not. And the warranty company bases its decision purely on the info the dealer gives it.

 

[KennyN]

Don't forget that the dealer wants these things to be covered under the third party warranty....

I never realised that the 12m warranty that came with Mercedes Approved used vehicle was supplied through a third party.

K

 

[AS162]

Bit late, but best advice possible as it protects both you & the salesman. Prevents "he said, she said". By all means have a phone conversation but either ask him to also put it in an email or you do it & ask him to confirm by return. If he does not, copy in the Sales Manager & put the deal on hold until its resolved.
Its easy to drop your guard with the excitement of getting a new car.

Yeah I am doing everything in email now. Lesson learnt!

 

[AS162]

I guess I have nothing left if approved used doesn’t need a full service history

 

[AS162]

Is it possible for dealerships to fib the service history?

 

[markjay]

I guess I have nothing left if approved used doesn’t need a full service history

Not quite - if the salesperson told you that the car had FSH, then keep insisting on it, even if it becomes your word against theirs. 'Not as described' is a valid reason to cancel the order.

But of course, if the car does have FSH, and it is presented to you, then you won't be able to cancel the order without losing the deposit simply based on the fact that you don't believe that they'll do a good enough job with the paint correction.

Having said that, it shouldn't take a dealer more than a few seconds to print out the service book - my guess is that the service history is not on the MB Digital Service Book system, and that the salesperson is expecting to receive copies of invoices issued by an independent garage, which were likely included with the auction when the dealer bought the car, but may have gone missing since.

As for the various things that were promised - paint correction, rear glass, FSH - or anything else that isn't right - my advice is to not collect the car until they have all been sorted to your satisfaction, even if you travelled from a far to the dealership - just leave the car at the dealer and tell them that you'll cone back again when it's properly ready. Do not accept any promises of future repairs.

 

[markjay]

Is it possible for dealerships to fib the service history?

Unlikely, in my view, it's a large organisation and no one will want to take the responsibility. More likely they'll make vague verbal promises and will then ignore you, but an actual fib - I don't think so.

 

[BTB 500]

If an AUC needed a warranty repair and it was found it hadn`t been serviced properly prior to sale then would it still be covered ?

K

In my experience, yes.

We bought an Approved Used C Class estate that we were told had FMBSH. When I checked, one of the services had been done by an independent garage.

It developed an intermittent fault with the indicator repeater in the driver's door mirror (a common issue due to the wiring flexing as it folds). This was fixed under the warranty without any quibble - they replaced the whole mirror unit. As mentioned this was only intermittent and definitely not a 'breakdown'. I've also had the battery replaced FOC on two AU cars without any issues - these are almost always excluded as 'wear & tear' items. I got a free service on one car too - this is covered if required within 3(?) months of you buying it. They also pay for any work required for an MOT pass if this comes up during the warranty period, and IIRC you get key insurance.

IMHO it's a pretty decent warranty - I've had *much* worse ones on other used cars.

As an aside not all AU cars have the AU warranty. Anything under 2 years old uses the remainder of the original 3 year one instead.