Goodwill repair, what are my chances?

[gbjeppm]

I think you will be very lucky to get a claim accepted on a 9 yr old car but you can but try

I fear you may be right, just hoping that the fact that MB sold it to me only 18 months ago will swing it in my favour

Will keep you posted.

 

[mikemoss]

This may be of some comfort to you. My 10-year-old E320 is currently having its rust attended to (both rear wings, rear tailgate, tops of both front doors) under the goodwill scheme. I'm paying £475 towards it but have to say I find this pretty fair considering the age of the car.

It has full MB service history from new, and the dealer used this to argue my case with Milton Keynes, who originally declined to offer me anything on the grounds that the car was more than eight years old. Oh, and the courtesy car is free too.

As someone else said earlier, how many other manufacturers' would do this? Then again, my 11-year-old Fiat Ducato-based motorhome hasn't a scrap of rust on it, neither does my wife's 12-year-old Golf, both with similar mileage and care to the Merc.

 

[Phil Thomas]

This may be of some comfort to you. My 10-year-old E320 is currently having its rust attended to (both rear wings, rear tailgate, tops of both front doors) under the goodwill scheme. I'm paying £475 towards it but have to say I find this pretty fair considering the age of the car.

It has full MB service history from new, and the dealer used this to argue my case with Milton Keynes, who originally declined to offer me anything on the grounds that the car was more than eight years old. Oh, and the courtesy car is free too.

As someone else said earlier, how many other manufacturers' would do this? Then again, my 11-year-old Fiat Ducato-based motorhome hasn't a scrap of rust on it, neither does my wife's 12-year-old Golf, both with similar mileage and care to the Merc.

I am currently experiencing rejection on my 10 year old (9 years when I started the claim).

I'll persevere. Thanks.

 

[glojo]

I am currently experiencing rejection on my 10 year old (9 years when I started the claim).

I'll persevere. Thanks.

If your car has an unbroken full Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history then I do not blame you

 

[Smiley]

I fear you may be right, just hoping that the fact that MB sold it to me only 18 months ago will swing it in my favour

Will keep you posted.

That is the main point that you should be going on. If it were me I would take the extra effort to go back to the supplying dealer and make it their problem (politely of course) rather than another anonymous MB claim for a borderline 8/9 yr old car - thats not the point - you paid top price 18 months ago - it should not have rust problems now.

 

[Phil Thomas]

If your car has an unbroken full Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history then I do not blame you

Yes it has. The unsatisfactory dealer in Stochport simply tells you to go to MB Direct in Manchester, and only if you ask.

 

[gbjeppm]

OK Update.

Took it in this morning, and bad news.

The front of the car is showing an average of 200um on both wings, and the bonnet. I did not spot it, but there are a couple of tell tale signs of a respray if you know where to look (I obviously do not as it looked fine to me)

MB in Epsom have suggested that the car has either been in an accident or resprayed, which I am not in disagreement with.

The back of the car is original, and they would have submitted for the rear of the car, but said that MB will definitely throw out the claim for the front.

They advised me as the car was only sold by MB Portsmouth 18 months ago to speak to the Sales Manager at Portsmouth, as although I will not get a claim approved by MB, the selling dealer also has discretion on these things.

I have explained the dilemma to Portsmouth, but the Sales Manager is out until next week.

Will report back when I know more.

 

[glojo]

That is the main point that you should be going on. If it were me I would take the extra effort to go back to the supplying dealer and make it their problem (politely of course) rather than another anonymous MB claim for a borderline 8/9 yr old car - thats not the point - you paid top price 18 months ago - it should not have rust problems now.

I would love to know what other dealership would entertain what you are suggesting.

I have seen dozens and dozens of cars that go rusty within four to five years. i personally know of a Bentley owner whose car was showing rust on the underside of the car after just four years. Tough........ Pay here or go elsewhere.

 

[gbjeppm]

I would love to know what other dealership would entertain what you are suggesting.

I have seen dozens and dozens of cars that go rusty within four to five years. i personally know of a Bentley owner whose car was showing rust on the underside of the car after just four years. Tough........ Pay here or go elsewhere.

John I am not sure I agree with you.

My thoughts are that I bought a car from MB, and paid a premium for peace of mind. I was told that the car had 30 year anti-perforation warranty.

Other manufacturers have varying warranty's on bodywork, but none seem to have the volume of issues at a young age that MB do.

I have had volkswagens, hondas and others, and they do not rust. They also do not usually retail them if they are more than 3-4 years old. My son has a 96 polo, no rust at all!!!

So to a certain extent, MB are having to deal with a dilemma of selling premium cars at premium prices, that have bodywork that is not fit for purpose.

Therefore I agree generally with your statement that other marques would not do this, but for me that is because they don't have to.

I note your Bentley example, and if I was the owner I would be horrified.

 

[glojo]

There is no such thing as a thirty year warranty and to simply take the word of a salesperson is perhaps naive.

Did you get ANY documentation regarding any 30 year corrosion warranty?

I'm afraid that when I buy a car I take with a pinch of salt anything said by any car sales person and unless you have documentation regarding this so called 30 year bodywork warranty then it does not exist.

With the very greatest of respect I cannot believe an experienced Mercedes-Benz sales person would mention what you are saying when they will be fully familiar with the excellent Mobilio Warranty.

Could you have been confused in what you heard?

If you are adamant it was a 30 year bodywork warranty then diod you ask to see this warranty or even ask about any terms or conditions?

Buying an eight year old car is buying an eight year old car, you must surely expect it to have issues and yes I totally agree that the bodywork on these vehicles is a disgrace, but.........

Anyone that is thinking about buying these rust buckets should really do some research BEFORE spending their VERY HARD earned money.

 

[gbjeppm]

John

He did say it, and I did take it with a pinch of salt, and I have done my research.The corrosion I have of course is not perforation, as it is not from the inside out. It is on the edges of the wings, where inferior metal and probably not enough paint are the problem.

This is what is stated about the perforation warranty in my service book.

I suppose it is a question of reasonableness, and in my book 18 months from Sale I expect it to be rust free.

What would you expect on a second hand car bought from an MB dealer 18 months ago?

 

[glojo]

John

He did say it, and I did take it with a pinch of salt, and I have done my research.The corrosion I have of course is not perforation, as it is not from the inside out. It is on the edges of the wings, where inferior metal and probably not enough paint are the problem.

This is what is stated about the perforation warranty in my service book.

I suppose it is a question of reasonableness, and in my book 18 months from Sale I expect it to be rust free.

What would you expect on a second hand car bought from an MB dealer 18 months ago?

That is mobilio or mobiliolife and it does have very strict terms and conditions.

I am with you and if you and the car have complied with those terms then I would be extremely annoyed if they did not play ball.

I would guess that when that booklet was issued the car had to have an unbroken full, Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history and ALL bodywork repairs had to be carried out by an approved agent.

If that fits your car then I would go for it and claim.

Folks tend to cherry pick with mobilio and only see what they want to see but it is an excellent warranty and for those that have used it they usually speak very highly about the service. I have used it on a numberr of occassions and cannot praise it enough, but here in the West Country our mobilio break-down service is covered by the dealership.

 

[gbjeppm]

Well reading the small print, it says "from the 5th year onwards the car should have been service by an MB service station within the last 2 years".

As they sold it to me, and did a full inspection, for which I have documentation, within the last 2 years, I would suggest that I am complying.

At the end of the day John I am applying a reasonableness test, and therefore will continue to try to get MB to fix it.

We shall see, as always I will be polite.

 

[BDE1V]

My December 31st 1998 Merc started rusting around the boot lock at first & then all wheel arches & now both door sills.. My car had full MB Service History when i applied through the dealer 3 months before it's 8th birthday. I was stiched up intially by lies from The Paint Shop; who told me they couldn't do the job for 4 months, but not to worry because there was a 30 year warranty on the car; then by MB UK who wouldn't give a reason for not doing the job only informing me that I was supposedly told at the time by the girl at the dealer that they wouldn't repair the rust damage.... Another lie...
I've prevented a number of people from not buying into this brand & the car certainly proves that....I certainly wont buy another!!!
If it's just started to rust & MBUK won't honour their vague warranty, count your losses & get rid... You'll only end off getting annoyed and frustrated...In two years time the car will be rusting like mine & no one will want it... To put mine right would cost over £2500, more than the car is worth! ( I require 2 new front wings a new boot, welded rear wheel arches & two door skins).. Hyundai car bodies are better built.

 

[Phil Thomas]

That is mobilio or mobiliolife and it does have very strict terms and conditions.

I am with you and if you and the car have complied with those terms then I would be extremely annoyed if they did not play ball.

I would guess that when that booklet was issued the car had to have an unbroken full, Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history and ALL bodywork repairs had to be carried out by an approved agent.

If that fits your car then I would go for it and claim.

Folks tend to cherry pick with mobilio and only see what they want to see but it is an excellent warranty and for those that have used it they usually speak very highly about the service. I have used it on a numberr of occassions and cannot praise it enough, but here in the West Country our mobilio break-down service is covered by the dealership.

You can also apply via the dealer for a goodwill warranty. Usually up to 8 years old. Sometimes more -see other threads on this site. It MUST be preauthorised by Milton Keynes. You can search for my name to find some relevant threads.

Good luck!

 

[glojo]

You can also apply via the dealer for a goodwill warranty. Usually up to 8 years old. Sometimes more -see other threads on this site. It MUST be preauthorised by Milton Keynes. You can search for my name to find some relevant threads.

Good luck!

I think if you do any search you will find that most if not all bodywork repairs are indeed done under the goodwill definition.

When I had mobilio-life the car needed continual, unbroken Mercedes-Benz servicing and this had to be carried out as and when required but no later than 24 months... It wa called Mobilio-life as the warranty was designed to last the life of the car.

Legal experts however needed to define how long was 'life' hence the 30 year warranty.

I have bought Mercedes-Benz foe years just because of the service, I have zero brand loyalty and the instant I get let down i will be taking my custom elsewhere... Will Mercedes miss me?? Of course not. Will it impress anyone if I say I buy twenty cars a year and if you mess me about then I will take my custom elsewhere? I hope not and if I were the sales person I would open the door and let this type of customer off the premises

Mobilio has been brilliant for my family, the call-out has ALWAYS been extremely swift, a courtesy car has always been delivered and it has ALWAYS been either an ML or an estate car. The service has been excellent and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Softly softly will usually catchee the monkey and a large sledge hammer usually makes a blooming great big dent

 

[marty359]

Ive owned three Mercs in total..a W202 Esprit,W203 Avantgarde and my c32.

My first two cars were mint the Esprit was rust free apart from a little scab on the boot lock and the C240 was immaculate,i sold it to someone at work last year and it's still rust free.

Ive had the c32 just over a year and when i bought it it was like all the other cars absolutely mint condition but now its going rusty Ive waited since 2001 when they first came out to get one,and i got a rusty one..gggrrrrrr

I had the goodwill claim approved on Thursday and its going in on Tuesday for four weeks to have 2x new front wings,all wheel arches sprayed,bottoms of doors sprayed(i cant see any rust here) and tailgate sprayed where the plastic boot surround meets the bodywork.I only took it in to have the front wings looked at but he found rust starting all over it and since i get the car valeted every couple of weeks did'nt see the rust creeping up on me and im slightly piffed off to say the least.


Like i said ive owned the car for just over a year
3 main dealer stamps,last 2007
3 indie stamps
I also took in reciepts for work ive had done there,tensioner wheel and supercharger pump(done under warranty from seller)no reciept but showed on the cars history.


And to make matters worse ive got to use a Seat Ibiza 1.2 manual courtesy car for a month !!! but hey ive still got the car untill monday,the sun is shining and im off out to waste a tank of fuel

 

[Deutsch]

Hi all im a newbie on this Forum - just bought my first Mercedes 6 months ago a 51 CLK 230 Kompressor Avantgarde - would be interesting to hear how you get on with Dealers for Waranty/goodwill repair. I am shocked by how much my car is starting to rust - my last cars had less rust on them a 92 Pajero (for 6 months) prior a 96 525 tds - the BMW being comparative to Mercedes had no rust on it - this was the same quality i expected from a Mercedes - sadly not so - will go to the Dealers to see about a warranty/goodwill repair before i go to my spray painter!

 

[Phil Thomas]

Hi all im a newbie on this Forum - just bought my first Mercedes 6 months ago a 51 CLK 230 Kompressor Avantgarde - would be interesting to hear how you get on with Dealers for Waranty/goodwill repair. I am shocked by how much my car is starting to rust - my last cars had less rust on them a 92 Pajero (for 6 months) prior a 96 525 tds - the BMW being comparative to Mercedes had no rust on it - this was the same quality i expected from a Mercedes - sadly not so - will go to the Dealers to see about a warranty/goodwill repair before i go to my spray painter!

I have the Mercedes Warranty hand book, which I can forward to your email address. Get it in before the 8 years are up. Make sure the dealer gets the paper work right. Good luck.

 

[glojo]

I have the Mercedes Warranty hand book, which I can forward to your email address. Get it in before the 8 years are up. Make sure the dealer gets the paper work right. Good luck.

Just make sure it is the same year as the complainant.

My nephew is thinking of buying a Ford Mondeo and I know we all like to think our problems are worse than anyone else's but do a search for Mondeo doors rust.

Okay, for all the snobs out there yes it is 'just a Ford' but it is someone's pride and joy and the owners of Ford's should have the same rights as any car owners but there are AWFUL problems with rusting doors on these vehicles, some of which are only five years old and not only must their cars have a FULL MAIN DEALER SRVICE HISTORY, they must also have the bodywork warranty section stamped each year by a Ford Main Dealer and then if they have all this the repairs are limited, so please folks lets not think it is just Mercedes-Benz that rust