goodwill??

[Mercurial]

Please don't persecute the new-lad, I'm pretty new to the forum, and have been reading a few previous posts, about good-will body repairs.

But my question is, what is it and how does it work???

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can tell, you pop into your main dealer (mine just so happens to be MK Mercedes) and ask them to assess your 'case' (as to whether they will repair/make new at a fraction of the actual cost?)

If this is the case, is this all I need to do, or do I need to go pre-armed with any information, or quoting any good-will reference.

My c200k has never missed a main dealer service, and has a 'B' service due in the next month, will this help with my 'claim'??

Any help would be fantastic with this.

Thanks

 

[andysej]

Hi
It would seem the goodwill repair is both to protect MB image and also keep the genuine warranty claims number low. Either way if you have full service history and have had the car at least 6 months (they usualy stipulate this) you should be ok. I'm not sure if there is an age limit for goodwill, possibly 8 years? If you're not happy with the dealer response, write to MB, but be polite. Someone on here will be an expert.

Good Luck

Andy

 

[Mercurial]

Thanks for the reply,

I've owned the car a few months, and my company owned it for the 5 years prior to this, so I may be eligible, you never know.

The car's a high miler, and starting to show signs of this, so a tidy up would be ideal (I'm not planning on selling up, but I guess it may be difficult to convince MB this, if I even have to??)

 

[RodgerDodger]

Hi

It may depend on how old your car is - 8 yrs for 'goodwill' body repairs - and up to 10 years for structural.

If your car has FMBSH and the Mobilo warranty - you may have a case - all you can do is first ask the dealer - and maybe post his reply if its not good

I would exepct if the dealer knows the car then you would stand a better chance - Be firm and clear on asking him to inspect the car - but polite at all times

best of luck

 

[Mercurial]

another very helpful reply, thanks again.

My c200 is only just 6 years old, so should be ok there.

Just to confirm, do I walk into my dealer and mention 'goodwill' and they'll automatically know what I'm wittering on about?

If this is the case, I'll casually mention it when I've paid for my forthcoming 'B' service and let you know what reaction/response I receive...........

 

[andysej]

I think you should be ok if the car is under 8 years old. If there is corrosion there, and they have carried out the maintenance, they should have noticed it and resolved it. It is surely in their interest as the longer it is left, the more expensive it becomes. Let us know how you fair.

The goodwill repairs must have cost MB millions. My own car had a new wing, a new door and 2 rear arches repaired under goodwill at 7 years old, and i'd only owned it 1 month fom a private sale. They initialy refused on grounds I had not owned it for 6 months, but I wrote to MB and they obliged. I cannot imagine any other manufacturer providing such a service.

Andy

 

[andysej]

When you take it for the service, just mention you have noticed corrosion and ask them to have a look, they will probably do a paint thickness check (for resprays) and may take photos. The final decision will be made by MB in Milton Keynes.

 

[RodgerDodger]

another very helpful reply, thanks again.

My c200 is only just 6 years old, so should be ok there.

Just to confirm, do I walk into my dealer and mention 'goodwill' and they'll automatically know what I'm wittering on about?

If this is the case, I'll casually mention it when I've paid for my forthcoming 'B' service and let you know what reaction/response I receive...........

I'm not sure on when/or if the warranty was stopped - my car MY99 had 'Mobilo' - apparently a 30 year! anti corrosion warranty.

I had some panels replaced under 'goodwill' and new spring perches replaced under structural warranty.

I would search the forum for similar claims made for your car/MY - and make sure any common problem areas are checked by the dealer - having said that, i think cars were galvanised after 04

 

[Mercurial]

Milton Keynes Mercedes is my local main dealer, which may work in my favour, especially if I have to fight my case.

Yes it may have cost Mercedes millions over the years, but it's not a completely free service is it? Surely I will be expected to contribute a percentage of costs? this is the impression I get from a couple of the previous posts on this subject?

 

[andysej]

Yes, I've heard that before, but I wasn't. However, once my car was booked in at the authorised bodyshop (Evans Halshaw Leeds) I asked them to include all the minor stone chips etc that wouldn't be included in the repair. My advice would be to get it all sorted and painted in one go. It may cost you a few hundred, but is worth it, paticularly if you intend keeping it.

Andy

 

[ringway]

I bought my W210 CDI in May 07. 131k miles.

Car had only B services all its life at MB, with the exception of the last service before I took ownership.

Took it to MB Macclesfield, said I wanted a B service and that I only used main dealers for my vehicles .

The car was stood for 1, year before I bought it from a non MB dealer in Chester, because both of the front wings were badly rusted (common problem on this model) and I know that this is what deterred others from buying it.

I asked MB Macclesfield about the rust (I was new to MB cars and didn't really know the score) and they said that their bodyshop would assess the bodywork.

I said to MB Macclesfield and their bodyshop at MB Manchester that although the car did not have FULL MB history (because of the last service before I bought it) that the rust was surely present before the non MB service and that I couldn't maintain the full MB service history if the non MB service was carried out before I owned the car.

MB Manchester kindly replaced both front wings (although I still don't think we'll get it off the ground) and also the tailgate due to very minor rust which I hadn't even considered claimable! All of this was free of charge, although they did keep the car for weeks and did warn me of the amount of time they would have the car, (maybe this puts some people off having the work done.)

As far as the 30 year warranty goes, I am sure MB will only replace a body panel that have corroded from the inside out.

I think it helps with leniancy in these cases if the dealer gets the impression you will be putting a little bit back, by using them for servicing etc..

Hope this helps.

 

[Mercurial]

Yes, really helpful thank you.

It really does seem to be completely random as to the level of 'goodwill' each individual customer receives.

I can happily live without the car for a good few weeks, too.

I'm starting to look forward to approaching my main dealer now :bannana: