Incomplete service A @ year 3?

[inonefly]

Hi all,

Just picked up my first Merc, a 18 plate GLC63s, for about 2 weeks. I am very confused about the service intervals/schedule as this is my first Merc. First of all, where can I find a detailed service intervals/schedules for the glc63s? found something as in below from a US site but don't think it applied to 63s:


Then about the car I just purchased, below is the service history:
1. May 2019 (14months), 8k miles, service A - engine oil and filter change by MB dealer;
2. Oct 2020, 18k miles, service B - engine oil and filter change, Brake fluid change by MB dealer;
3. Jul 2021, 19.5k miles, Service A - engine oil and filter change by the third party dealer I purchased from (I think they have access to the DBS to record the service but I haven't received my V5C to check it);

But when I used Mercedes's website to get a quote for service A at 20k miles, there's a lot more items that's required at 3 years (as in below). Specifically I am concerned about the spark plugs, transmission oil and rear axle oil change.


Now I can understand why the dealer didn't carry out all the tasks, they did say the car is due for a service and they'll give it a oil change, but I wasn't expecting there's that many tasks being ignored. I 'll probably only keep this car for a year (still wanting a GLE63s as I originally planned) but for keeping the car's value and considering that I want to take it to a track day in Sept, I 'd think it's best to book it in to get the rest items sorted? But will they (either a MB dealer or specialist) be able to carry out the additions ( so not changing the engine oil) and update the DBS to reflect the work?

 

[Teego]

Ah, the joyous mystery of MB service schedules.
The alternating A and B services are just oil changes and inspections. The B service inspection is deeper than the A but about the same as an MOT.
Other stuff like brake fluid (every 2 years), air filters, spark plugs, ATF etc etc crop up at varying intervals and are bolt ons (extra cost) to A and B services.
When I bought my CLS55 the local MB dealers couldn't explain service schedules or what my next service would be without plugging the car into their computer (£kerching).
So, starting with my owners' manual plus trawling the web I built a spreadsheet covering all service items / times / miles out to 150000 miles. Now I give my garage a checklist for each service to my requirements.
BTW the manual for our X-Trail gives all this info in plain sight.

 

[markjay]

The car's value has already taken a hit by the erratic service history: the first service was done two months late, the second five months late.

To preserve the car's history (and resell value), I think you have no choice but book it in for a service at a dealer, that includes all of the missing items.

That said, I would do that in October, which will be one year after the last dealer service. And I wouldn't worry about the 3-year items getting done seven months too late (car registered in March 2018, 3-year service done in October 2021), it's not an exact science.

Normally I am all for indie servicing, but in this case, a 3 years old AMG car with problematic service history, I would stick to dealer service to minimise the resell value loss.

I am assuming others might suggest to book the car now for only the 3-year items (without a Service A), and make sure they are ticked on the DSB. This is also an option, though personally I would just get it all done in October, it will make the car service history look better for a potential buyer - you'll have the last two services in order, and only a small hiccup earlier in the car's life. And you will also avoid the need to explain the odd service history in 2021.

 

[inonefly]

Ah, the joyous mystery of MB service schedules.
The alternating A and B services are just oil changes and inspections. The B service inspection is deeper than the A but about the same as an MOT.
Other stuff like brake fluid (every 2 years), air filters, spark plugs, ATF etc etc crop up at varying intervals and are bolt ons (extra cost) to A and B services.
When I bought my CLS55 the local MB dealers couldn't explain service schedules or what my next service would be without plugging the car into their computer (£kerching).
So, starting with my owners' manual plus trawling the web I built a spreadsheet covering all service items / times / miles out to 150000 miles. Now I give my garage a checklist for each service to my requirements.
BTW the manual for our X-Trail gives all this info in plain sight.

And I've been wondering if I missed some obvious info as in the old days a booklet was much clear of what needs to be done. I haven't looked at the manual but downloaded the Mercedes Guide App but not very useful at all. My previous 64 plate BMW displays much more info compared to this one.

 

[inonefly]

The car's value has already taken a hit by the erratic service history: the first service was done two months late, the second five months late.

To preserve the car's history (and resell value), I think you have no choice but book it in for a service at a dealer, that includes all of the missing items.

That said, I would do that in October, which will be one year after the last dealer service. And I wouldn't worry about the 3-year items getting done seven months too late (car registered in March 2018, 3-year service done in October 2021), it's not an exact science.

Normally I am all for indie servicing, but in this case, a 3 years old AMG car with problematic service history, I would stick to dealer service to minimise the resell value loss.

I am assuming others might suggest to book the car now for only the 3-year items (without a Service A), and make sure they are ticked on the DSB. This is also an option, though personally I would just get it all done in October, it will make the car service history look better for a potential buyer - you'll have the last two services in order, and only a small hiccup earlier in the car's life. And you will also avoid the need to explain the odd service history in 2021.

Thanks a lot for the comments and advise. I must admit I didn't concern the previous service history that much given the mileage, I'm still in search for an GLE63s I'll make sure I go for one with all the SH inline with the intervals. Just hoping this won't be an expensive lesson!

So for the service advice, right now it has A-B-A services at 3Y4M, if I wait until Mar 2022 for the B service so overall it's had 4 services, A-B-A-B, over 4 years period. Would this looks better overall? But probably causing more issue with the 3 year items being done in year 4 service?

If this is not good idea then I'll go with your suggestion for Service B in Oct and cover the 3 years items at the same time.

One more question, when we talk about the SH impact on resell value, I 'd assume this weights more if it's a private sale. Less so if I trade it in at dealer or WBAC?

 

[markjay]

In my experience, WBAC want to see a stamp in the book every year. They don't care too much where it was done, what exactly was done, or if it's a few months too late, as long as there's a service entry every year. But then I think that selling a good AMG to WBAC doesn't make much financial sense.

Dealers will vary, though typically they will scrutinise the service history and reduce the price they are willing to pay you, then advertise your car as having FSH anyway and if asked shrug-off the inconsistencies.

An AMG purist buying privately will recoil in horror at the sight of a late service....

 

[Martyn_n]

Was the car purchased from a main dealer as "Approved used" If so they state that if a service is due within 3 months of the sale it will be carried out. To my mind that should include all of the additional items and not just the "Service A" inspection. Ours was due a service in 3months and 3 weeks and they flat refused to put it through a service so they can be very strict on this.

 

[st13phil]

the second five months late.

Without knowing the history of the car, it’s quite possible that it was a dealer's demo and the first service was only carried out once the car was sold. That was certainly the case with Angie's SLK55 and the “late” first service was never an issue for the remainder of the warranty period.

I also wouldn’t be concerned about the late second service. Due to the COVID pandemic and dealerships either being closed or only offering service for “essential worker's” cars during the period that service would have been expected, MB extended the maximum permissible time overrun.

What I would be concerned about is the “additional items” that haven’t been covered by the last “service”, and would be getting that work done sometime in the next couple of months.

 

[inonefly]

In my experience, WBAC want to see a stamp in the book every year. They don't care too much where it was done, what exactly was done, or if it's a few months too late, as long as there's a service entry every year. But then I think that selling a good AMG to WBAC doesn't make much financial sense.

Dealers will vary, though typically they will scrutinise the service history and reduce the price they are willing to pay you, then advertise your car as having FSH anyway and if asked shrug-off the inconsistencies.

An AMG purist buying privately will recoil in horror at the sight of a late service....

Thanks, was only mentioning/considering WBAC as if I needed to sell quickly - when I purchased the GLC I sold my car to WBAC in the morning and picked up the GLC in the afternoon, WBAC offered more compared to if I traded it in.

 

[inonefly]

Was the car purchased from a main dealer as "Approved used" If so they state that if a service is due within 3 months of the sale it will be carried out. To my mind that should include all of the additional items and not just the "Service A" inspection. Ours was due a service in 3months and 3 weeks and they flat refused to put it through a service so they can be very strict on this.

Not a main dealer. I did ask the dealer if they will carry out full service A but they said it's just an oil change due for the service, I didn't know about the full list back then but even I did I doubt I can negotiated to get them cover it, most of the third party dealers are very difficult to negotiate on price nowadays I found.

 

[inonefly]

Without knowing the history of the car, it’s quite possible that it was a dealer's demo and the first service was only carried out once the car was sold. That was certainly the case with Angie's SLK55 and the “late” first service was never an issue for the remainder of the warranty period.

I also wouldn’t be concerned about the late second service. Due to the COVID pandemic and dealerships either being closed or only offering service for “essential worker's” cars during the period that service would have been expected, MB extended the maximum permissible time overrun.

What I would be concerned about is the “additional items” that haven’t been covered by the last “service”, and would be getting that work done sometime in the next couple of months.

It was actually a demo car then purchased by the previous owner but he did purchased it before the first service, owned it for a bit over 2 years then sold to the dealer I purchased from. But thanks for the comments as it gives me a bit more confident of the purchase (albeit already bought!) and I think I'll just follow markjay's advice to get the next service in Spet/Oct and include the 3 year items.
Meanwhile, still a fantastic car and sorely enjoyed it every time I drove it S+ mode

 

[st13phil]

MB extended the maximum permissible time overrun

Just to expand on that point, I checked my email archive and on 14th April 2020 MBUK emailed owners to say this about servicing:

This also clarifies that the first service (at 14 months) was carried out within the normally allowed leeway of 90 days / 1864 miles.

 

[inonefly]

Just to expand on that point, I checked my email archive and on 14th April 2020 MBUK emailed owners to say this about servicing:

This also clarifies that the first service (at 14 months) was carried out within the normally allowed leeway of 90 days / 1864 miles.

Thanks so much for this info, very helpful to know. Though not the best/cleanest service history but at least still within MB's guidance. Once I've got the '3 years items' done to put things in order, I have a reasonable FSH.

 

[markjay]

Anyone looking at the service history after Oct 2021, will see that it is all up to date, and that the service prior to that was done a year earlier in Oct 2020. The minor transgressions in the earlier years won't be noticeable....

 

[st13phil]

Once I've got the '3 years items' done to put things in order, I have a reasonable FSH.

Indeed. Relax and enjoy your car!