How many MB technicians does it take to change a light bulb?

[Nibbo]

Just had my B Service and MOT; service about £370, total including work needed for MOT £1,150

Looked down the bill and noticed 'Replaced Bulbs in rear lights' £52.50 + VAT.

Now that job takes 2 minutes on a C Class estate so did it take 15 technicians 2 minutes each or was it just 1 very slow technician?

Obviously charged their minimum 1/2 hour labour (all part of the service sir!).

On top of a £1,100 bill I thought this was a bit naughty. What do you think?

I am not going to do bother to do anything about it but I will NEVER take my car to MB for anything other than servicing from now on.

 

[Andy W]

What work did it need out of interest? My ML is fast approaching a service, makes me very nervous.

 

[GrahamC230K]

£370. Must have been a B service at one of the worst mileage points to cost that much!

Work needed for MOT. What work? On a w203? Bushes, ball joints, brakes?

All of which you pay premium for at the dealer, even so, they did you good.

If the light bulb change is as easy as it is on a w202 I would not have left the dealership yet.

 

[Nibbo]

What work did it need out of interest? My ML is fast approaching a service, makes me very nervous.

It needed:
Bearing on both torque strutts £210 + parts + VAT.
New link rod for stabalising bar £105 + parts + VAT.
New stabiliser bar £52.50 + parts + VAT.

 

[pammy]

Did they secure approval from you to carry out all this work before they did it? If not then they can't charge you for it. They are supposed to tell you what needs doing and give you an idea of cost so that the bill is not a surprise and you can decide if you want the work doing or not - or if you want them to do the work.

 

[Nibbo]

£370. Must have been a B service at one of the worst mileage points to cost that much!

Work needed for MOT. What work? On a w203? Bushes, ball joints, brakes?

All of which you pay premium for at the dealer, even so, they did you good.

If the light bulb change is as easy as it is on a w202 I would not have left the dealership yet.

It was a 62k B service, quite happy with that side of things.

Had I spotted it on the bill before I left the dealers I am sure I would have got it removed but was in a bit of a hurry so did not see it until I got home.
It's a 2 hour round trip so not really worth my going back.

 

[Nibbo]

Did they secure approval from you to carry out all this work before they did it? If not then they can't charge you for it. They are supposed to tell you what needs doing and give you an idea of cost so that the bill is not a surprise and you can decide if you want the work doing or not - or if you want them to do the work.

Thanks Pammy, they did contact me by phone after thier initial inspection so the fact that it wass going to be £1150 was not a surprise but I was surprised to see the light bulb at £52. I should have stopped at a garage and changed it myself when it came up on the dash I guess. We live and learn.

 

[SG CL500]

I would complain anyway - you never know they may refund the difference (unlikely) but it will at least highlight the fact that at least some of their customers do look at the invoices and therefore they don't have carte blanche.

My local call about a week after my car has been in to undertake a satisfaction survey (am looking forward to this one as it's just been in for its brakes)

 

[BlackC55]

To replace two or three bulbs in the rear equates to about 0.4 hours labour. So their charge is normal.

It is best to do it yourself though as it is a very easy job.

Think yourself lucky. A xenon bulb is £100+vat plus fitting!!!

 

[glojo]

I am not on one side or the other on this debate, I will merely point out that on newish Mercedes-Benz, owners can take out a Service Plus contract, you pays your money and take your choices. Some do it for peace of mind, others feel it is cheaper to pay for any repairs plus of course servicing. Life is all about choices and living with the decisions and of course the consequences.

Likewise we can also elect not to use a main dealer and opt out of the Mobilo warranty.

Win some, loose some.

Regards
John

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think I've told this story before, but I was sat in the waiting bay at McDonalds Drive Thru when a chap came over and said "Did you know you have a bulb out?" - I said "Thank you for letting me know".

He said: "I'm the Service Manager at MB Tamworth, if you drop it in we'll change it for you at no charge - our pleasure".

So I did. Fantastic marketing I thought. The Parts Manager used to give me free screen wash too on the basis you'll go back if they look after you. After he left they started charging. Doh!!

The dealer I now use has changed a (non-xenon) bulb at no charge whilst it's been in for things - my usual Service Advisor said they don't charge regular customers for bulb changes if the cars in with them for service or other repairs.

It's little things like that that make you feel good about your dealer. Charging £50+ makes the dealer a little extra today, but you then feel dissapointed and tell everyone, and maybe take future business elsewhere.

 

[Benzowner]

I must admit, I would never let a main dealer of any brand MoT my car, after all they have a vested interest to fail it. A £780 MoT repair is a lot of work for and indy, I would have taken the fail and got repairs elswhere.

 

[crockers]

£370. Must have been a B service at one of the worst mileage points to cost that much!

.

Mine is going in tomorrow for a B service - quoted £414.......sobs but need to keep warranty up....

 

[hawk20]

How many light bulbs? Was it just one side or both?

 

[recycled]

probably 5.
One to change the bulb
one to write the invoice
one to add V.A.T.
one to forward the amount to the accounts dept
and one to tell the receptionist to call you as your car was ready.
Could take more e.g the one to drive the car out of the workshop.

 

[jaymanek]

Thats ridiculous and so are the charges for the stabilising bar considering they take about 10 mins to replace...

 

[glojo]

I must admit, I would never let a main dealer of any brand MoT my car, after all they have a vested interest to fail it. A £780 MoT repair is a lot of work for and indy, I would have taken the fail and got repairs elswhere.

I have a VERY good friend who is the technician in charge of the MOT Bay at a German brand Main Dealer and I can assure you he is one of the most honest, helpful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and no doubt he is possibly typical of mechanics everywhere that carry out MOT's?? Am I right in saying MOT test stations have random inspections with test cars being put through?

I would like to think ALL the parts that needed replacing were required?

I think a more tactful point might have been that main dealers might adhere more strictly to the regulations?

John

 

[hawk20]

To replace two or three bulbs in the rear equates to about 0.4 hours labour. So their charge is normal.

It is best to do it yourself though as it is a very easy job.

Think yourself lucky. A xenon bulb is £100+vat plus fitting!!!

That is why I asked how many bulbs it was and whether on one side or both. May have been reasonable. Cannot tell without facts. I find my local dealer very reasonable.

 

[JonFB]

My W203 went in for it's first service at the MD dealers last month, sailed thru thank goodness for £400 quid, next day I had it booked in at the local garage to do the MOT, which cost £52 all in.

I grudginly use MB for the services as it makes the car much easier to sell on, but I would much rather use a local or MB specialist for any works - it ain't pleasant being fleeced. Most of us have to work quite hard to pay for a £1k garage bill!

£50 quid to change a light bulb, ooh - they've got a nerve!



Jon

 

[gaz_l]

Yep, I'd have a word with the service manager and say you think they're out of order.

Mine was serviced last week and the rear number plate light needed replacing - they charged me the princely sum of 53p for the privilege, the cost of the bulb.

It also came back cleaned, hoovered and with the engine bay detailed, none of which I asked them to do or got charged for. And it had a complimentary tin of extra strong mints left inside.

That's the difference between a garage that wants your business and one that doesn't.. the dealers get a lot of slating on the forums (not all of it undeserved, I'm sure) so I'm happy to be able to report a good experience. It does happen...

Cheers,

Gaz