is the Mercedes care plan worth it for a 2022 A Class at £34 a month

[Benz000]

I bought a 2022 A class Spring 2023 and was given the care plan at a fixed price of £34 a month which I was told was a discounted price as the car was still classed as new.
in weighing up 12 months x £34 against service prices at other garages when required there is not much difference.

Although in my past experience I have found that Mercedes dealerships have less knowledge and concern for the car than an independent Mercedes specialist so was considering cancelling the care plan now I just had my first service.
For eg: I was told by a Mercedes Birmingham engineer that Wayne at WDM Mercedes knows more about Mercedes than anyone that works for Mercedes and seems to make sense the dealerships main focus is selling cars
Anyone else think is better to go with an independent Mercedes specialist?

 

[clk320x]

Where in the UK are you?

 

[st13phil]

How long does the Servicecare plan have to run? Two more years / services?

Be aware that cancelling it isn’t as simple as telling them to cancel and the payments stopping. They will deduct the sum billed to the scheme for any services already undertaken, which may be more than you have already paid in which case you will be liable for the difference. Also, there's a cancellation fee charged to the account - it used to be £40 but may now be more - that you’re also liable for. You will need to call them to get a cancellation price.

There are some very good indies about who will undoubtedly do a good job of looking after your car, but the difference in costs vs the Servicecare plan in the early years is likely to be relatively small. You will also lose Mobilo cover if you move out of the Main Dealer network for servicing, so you’ll need to consider that too.

Ultimately, only you can do the maths based upon what your local indie charges.

 

[colinallcars]

Will an Indie really know more about a car as new as that? I’d have thought it would take a while for sufficient vehicles to pass through their hands and build up a knowledge base. Main dealer staff are more likely to have been on training courses for such models.

 

[Spro368]

I bought a 2022 A class Spring 2023 and was given the care plan at a fixed price of £34 a month which I was told was a discounted price as the car was still classed as new.
in weighing up 12 months x £34 against service prices at other garages when required there is not much difference.

Although in my past experience I have found that Mercedes dealerships have less knowledge and concern for the car than an independent Mercedes specialist so was considering cancelling the care plan now I just had my first service.
For eg: I was told by a Mercedes Birmingham engineer that Wayne at WDM Mercedes knows more about Mercedes than anyone that works for Mercedes and seems to make sense the dealerships main focus is selling cars
Anyone else think is better to go with an independent Mercedes specialist?

Sadly my view is that you may well find a Mercedes Specialist that has better knowledge than main dealer and will think about preventitive measures and care.They will also explain issues directly rather than through a white collar person from customer service.They will also be 35% cheaper.My main dealer puts a different SAE of oil in each time and they missed the differential change altogether.

They do have a fancy reception, coffee , biscuits, toilets and wash the car.I would rather have the correct oil though.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I bought a 2022 A class Spring 2023 and was given the care plan at a fixed price of £34 a month which I was told was a discounted price as the car was still classed as new.
in weighing up 12 months x £34 against service prices at other garages when required there is not much difference.

Although in my past experience I have found that Mercedes dealerships have less knowledge and concern for the car than an independent Mercedes specialist so was considering cancelling the care plan now I just had my first service.
For eg: I was told by a Mercedes Birmingham engineer that Wayne at WDM Mercedes knows more about Mercedes than anyone that works for Mercedes and seems to make sense the dealerships main focus is selling cars
Anyone else think is better to go with an independent Mercedes specialist?

If it's an auto , probably.

 

[Will]

A 2022 car will be under manufacturer’s warranty.

Of course since the rules were relaxed years back you can get servicing done elsewhere. It’s less hassle to have it done at the dealer though and they can pick up the tab for any warranty repairs needed as well as recalls, software updates etc too.

As mentioned, you get Mobilo breakdown cover too which has value.

£34 a month doesn’t sound bad but you’d need to sit down and work out how this compares to PAYG for the services outside of the plan.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sadly my view is that you may well find a Mercedes Specialist that has better knowledge than main dealer and will think about preventitive measures and care.They will also explain issues directly rather than through a white collar person from customer service.They will also be 35% cheaper.My main dealer puts a different SAE of oil in each time and they missed the differential change altogether.

They do have a fancy reception, coffee , biscuits, toilets and wash the car.I would rather have the correct oil though.

True in some cases, not so true in others. The ability, care and cost of independent marque specialists can vary too, and in some areas they’re few and far between.

I’d suggest it’s best to choose based upon reputation, your own experience and quotes for like for like work, ie with a breakdown of age/mileage related items.

 

[Mickyh7]

 

[Mickyh7]

This is where your hard earned goes down the Dealership!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

View attachment 152486

This is where your hard earned goes down the Dealership!

So the money I spend at the Chinese-owned Mercedes-Benz franchised main dealer I use in the UK is used to fund a permanently closed cafe in an airport in Rome? Blimey.

 

[Will]

And they just give all the food away, bearing in mind it comes from your service costs!