I work for MB Roadside Assistance AMA

[gIzzE]

yes and don't get me started!!
I own 4 mercedes

No, seriously, please don't get him started!!

 

[219]

Have any of you actually used us?

No , but I've only been driving Mercedes coming on 40 years , so just give it time ( not to say that I haven't had minor problems , such as cracked distributor caps on M103/4 , but nothing I couldn't fix myself ) . My dad's time with Mercedes went back further , but I don't remember any of his cars needing assistance either .

Welcome to the forum , incidentally .

 

[MBRSA]

Would be interesting to know how many "assists" have been human error rather than the vehicles.

IE: Driving with the handbrake on till the rear brakes catch fire

Cheers

Well assistance like the one you suggested are very rare. You do get some assistances from customer negligence e.g illegal tyres which is quite hard to diagnose before we get on scene when they report a loss of power!

If you're interested, for the whole of the uk on average we get 180-190 assistances in a 24 hour period. Which is probably 60/40 split between mechanical breakdowns (60) and pilot error such as incorrect fuel (we get loads), and keys locked in boot.

 

[MBRSA]

No , but I've only been driving Mercedes coming on 40 years , so just give it time ( not to say that I haven't had minor problems , such as cracked distributor caps on M103/4 , but nothing I couldn't fix myself ) . My dad's time with Mercedes went back further , but I don't remember any of his cars needing assistance either .

Welcome to the forum , incidentally .

Thanks! Haha

Good to hear you haven't had any major issues, the cover actually lasts up to 30 years if you get it serviced at MB

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Do you simply recover the cars back to the dealer then or do you try and do a roadside fix if you can, so that the discerning Mercedes driver can get to his boardroom meeting on time?

 

[MBRSA]

Do you simply recover the cars back to the dealer then or do you try and do a roadside fix if you can, so that the discerning Mercedes driver can get to his boardroom meeting on time?

We have about 35 roadside technicians with STAR diagnostics who cover the UK and will attempt a repair. We will always try and get them out to you but sometimes the resources are stretched so we send a local company from the area to see of they can repair (unlikely) and then recover to the local retailer. Dropping off the discerning Mercedes driver to his boardroom meeting on the way if appropriate!

 

[219]

Thanks! Haha

Good to hear you haven't had any major issues, the cover actually lasts up to 30 years if you get it serviced at MB

Indeed .

Only 27 years too late for my W105 then . Just as well I do my own maintenance

 

[E270 Owner]

Well assistance like the one you suggested are very rare. You do get some assistances from customer negligence e.g illegal tyres which is quite hard to diagnose before we get on scene when they report a loss of power!

If you're interested, for the whole of the uk on average we get 180-190 assistances in a 24 hour period. Which is probably 60/40 split between mechanical breakdowns (60) and pilot error such as incorrect fuel (we get loads), and keys locked in boot.

I have a special tool for that

Seen some "breakdown specialists" smashing rear lights through at over £200 each to get the keys out of the boot

 

[c_200k]

If you have keyless go I dont think you can lock them in the boot as the boot just opens back if it senses the keys in there.

So thats a plus for having keyless go.

Welcome to the forum btw

 

[henley]

Can you be more specific on B class problems? I am on my second in 7 years and have experienced zero defects. I used to have Audi A4's, first A4 (year 2000) was one of the best cars I owned. Second A4 (2006) was definitely the worst car I have ever owned, which is when I switched to Mercedes.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

If you're interested, for the whole of the uk on average we get 180-190 assistances in a 24 hour period. Which is probably 60/40 split between mechanical breakdowns (60) and pilot error such as incorrect fuel (we get loads), and keys locked in boot.

Only had cause to call on the service once when my wife did the keys in boot trick. She was working at a photoshoot in the centre of Cambridge and managed to shut the boot with all her equipment and the keys in it. She phoned me to ask what to do so I called Mobilo. My call was answered quickly and very courteously, but I was told that the technician was on another job so it could be over 90 minutes before anyone was able to get to my wife. She wasn't best pleased because the rest of the team were getting set up and would soon be ready to start - which they couldn't do without her. It's our only car so in the end I had to go around knocking on neighbours' doors until finding someone who could take me on the 45 minute journey to Cambridge with the spare key. We arrived and opened the car then I called Mobilo again to let them know - they said that the technician was still working on the other job so would still have been some time getting there.

If you had been that technician and able to get there sooner, would you have been able to open the car (2012 C350 Sport saloon) without resorting to drastic measures such as those mentioned above?

 

[GP801]

Not had to use Mobilo for many years however when we had one of the first W203s we were pretty much on first name terms with the Mobilo guys. It went wrong so often. Nearly all electrical failures needing recovery back to the workshop. The service was always excellent and we got to try a fair assortment of Enterprise vehicles.

 

[Giantvanman]

It's probably a different unit but I have called Mobilo twice already on my van. Same tech both times and was impressed with his attitude and knowledge.
On the phone side, the only thing I would raise was the haste with which it is suggested that the vehicle is taken to a dealer rather than have a callout. To be fair, once my concerns about potential damage (first call) and likely easy fix (second time) the agents agreed and sent the tech.
First time took a while but I was impressed with the update call on ETA. The second call, I was impressed with the helpfulness of the agent and the fact that he (apologies for the buzz speak) took ownership of the problem, not helped by either of not being able to get the commercial dealer (24 hour operation) to answer the phone.

 

[donshl]

Only time I used Mobilo was waiting for nearly 3 hours until they sent someone out, this was just after getting the car serviced at Mercedes. The alternator was kaput and the battery was non usable...

This was near Bluewater

Therefore was not pleased with the service

 

[Rashman]

Only time I used Mobilo was waiting for nearly 3 hours until they sent someone out, this was just after getting the car serviced at Mercedes. The alternator was kaput and the battery was non usable...

This was near Bluewater

Therefore was not pleased with the service

What a night that was!

At least we got to meet gweedo.

lol

 

[donshl]

What a night that was!

At least we got to meet gweedo.

lol

Hahah, good thing there was a bunch of us! and of course Gweedo lol

 

[MBRSA]

Only had cause to call on the service once when my wife did the keys in boot trick. She was working at a photoshoot in the centre of Cambridge and managed to shut the boot with all her equipment and the keys in it. She phoned me to ask what to do so I called Mobilo. My call was answered quickly and very courteously, but I was told that the technician was on another job so it could be over 90 minutes before anyone was able to get to my wife. She wasn't best pleased because the rest of the team were getting set up and would soon be ready to start - which they couldn't do without her. It's our only car so in the end I had to go around knocking on neighbours' doors until finding someone who could take me on the 45 minute journey to Cambridge with the spare key. We arrived and opened the car then I called Mobilo again to let them know - they said that the technician was still working on the other job so would still have been some time getting there.

If you had been that technician and able to get there sooner, would you have been able to open the car (2012 C350 Sport saloon) without resorting to drastic measures such as those mentioned above?

Haha I bet you're wife must have been grateful, nice neighbours too!

Our Dedicated Technicians are able to get into that vehicle yes, although it normally takes about an hour to actually get into it. They use their diagnostic equipment to 'shock' the car open so the keys can be retrieved. That being said it does not work on all models so please refrain from locking your keys in the following models:

A-Class w176
B-Class w246
C-Class w205
ML-Class w166
GL-Class w166
GLA-Class
CLA-Class
S-Class w222

In these cases where we could not gain entry we would either recover the vehicle back to the keys, courier the keys to the vehicle or give you a hire car to go get the keys.

and a top tip, don't leave your spare keys in the car too!

 

[BlackC55]

I used to do the breakdown service when I worked at main dealer. It was called TG (Touring Guarantee)

24 hours on call and often a full days work followed by a full nights work followed by a full days work.

 

[After Shock]

Desperately trying to think of a question!

Rescued anyone "famous"? Ok. Even a Z list "celeb"?

 

[MBRSA]

Desperately trying to think of a question!

Rescued anyone "famous"? Ok. Even a Z list "celeb"?

We actually get a lot of footballers, it's a mixed bunch. We've had Bear Grylls, Mary Berry and Gareth Barry recently though!