MB 30 Year Anti Corrosion Warranty - A BIG ONE

[bolide]

If you are determined to continue, just start a Moneyclaim online. It will end up either in the Small Claims court or with a settlement. If you go to court armed with the documents & copies of the MB warranty the deputy judge will decide the outcome

These cases don't set a legal precedent. Also "Significantly, the normal "costs follows the event" rule in UK courts does not apply."

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/may/29/small-claims-court-limit-rise

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

Writing angry letters will get you nowhere, as you have proved

Nick Froome

 

[Rory]

It all started when we bought a B Class, we looked long and hard for a diesel auto will FMBSH a must we were advised not least for the RUST problem that they all suffer from which this one had. We were advised we needed to have owned for 6 months before being eligible to make a claim, we kept in contact with the dealer and decided to leave it until it became due for its next service.

If I'm reading that correctly you bought the car when it was already rusting?

 

[Chillbrazl]

No bubbling of paintwork, we took it to an Indy for a 'general inspection' to see if there was anything obvious that may need attention and he spotted some signs around the strut mounts and a slight discoloration (dirty look) all the way along the seam sealer on a couple of doors which when cleaned off was not visible and advised we take it in to MB. We contacted MB aware of the alleged warranty offered and were advised we needed to have owned the car for 6 months.
A few emails later on it was decided to do the inspection when the next service was due. As the mileage was very low the car never became due for about another 18 months and in this time it became more obvious.
When we had it serviced we had the car inspected and it was confirmed all paint was original and indeed rust was seeping through from behind the sealer hence the discoloration which by now was more obvious on the drivers door and indeed on the out side was now showing up as little spots under the paint.

 

[Chillbrazl]

Thank you, I will have a look at that option. I have used the SCC before so am familiar to a degree as it was a while ago

 

[rf065]

When we had it serviced we had the car inspected and it was confirmed all paint was original and indeed rust was seeping through from behind the sealer hence the discoloration which by now was more obvious on the drivers door and indeed on the out side was now showing up as little spots under the paint.

You really need to check the exact wording of the 30 year perforation warranty. It covers rust which has perforated a panel starting from the inside to outside. To me this means it has a hole caused by rust, that has started inside the panel and spread to the outside leaving a hole in the steel panel. Your case depends on how a judge sees it?

The spots in the paint are definitely not covered under the 30 year warranty as they are on the outside of the panel and have not started inside or perforated the panel from inside to outside. They are usually caused by moisture on the panel when the car is painted in the factory, as the car is now 10 years old, the chances of Mercedes repairing it free are extremely slim. I doubt any car manufacturer would repair that for free.

Don't mean to be harsh, but my rust spots started when the car was only just over 4 years old, and again at 6 or 7 years old. Mercedes repaired it both times. Now 11 years old they're showing again but I'm sure Mercedes would want nothing to do with the car now and certainly would not repair for free.

Russ

Russ

 

[Chillbrazl]

The issue with this is their body man at the the garage confirmed it is rust from behind the door cards, he said he would not submit for a warranty claim if he was not confident.
This is my 'beef', he checked the history and accepted it was up to date, i even have all the photos and readings he took, it is those in Germany that first tried to say the history was not correct then realised it was after repeated efforts telling them, their next tack was to say the rust was not from the inside out as confirmed by their 'remote' expert whos report they could not furnish me with
And why..............just because the can.
Anyone else with problems please feel free to quote the Topic Numbers.
They have now taken to deleting my emails without opening, nice, true measure of the people you are dealing with.

 

[AMGeed]

Do you fancy taking a similar action to the guy who took a golf club to his S Class outside an MB showroom?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xlEuCUvQIo

Park your car up outside the dealer and attach a few notices to the car airing your grieviences. You could also offer your opinion on MB's aftercare service and corrosion warranty to prospective buyings on their way in.

 

[Auto-mobile]

5 years corrosion warranty
Plus 3 years added as a goodwill gesture.
30 year "MOBILO" cover when your car is serviced by Mercedes.

 

[rf065]

The issue with this is their body man at the the garage confirmed it is rust from behind the door cards, he said he would not submit for a warranty claim if he was not confident.
This is my 'beef',

You were badly advised then.

Russ

 

[Deleted member 126969]

I'm new to the whole dealer/manufacturer thing having never previously had a new car nor used dealers for anything other than aprts supply. Having recently bought a new car, I'm slowly reaching the feeling that dealers and MB exist in an uncomfortable realtionship of mutual distrust and distain. MB need the dealers to sell & support their product, dealers need MB to provide said product and the revenue stream that comes from sales, servicing and warranty work. Given that every single warranty claim appears to need MB UK approval, it's clear where the power lies. Ultimately, the dealers can say what they like but unless MBUK agree, nothing will get done.

I don't doubt this is true for all manufacturers as well.

The real losers are us, the customers.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm new to the whole dealer/manufacturer thing having never previously had a new car nor used dealers for anything other than aprts supply. Having recently bought a new car, I'm slowly reaching the feeling that dealers and MB exist in an uncomfortable realtionship of mutual distrust and distain. MB need the dealers to sell & support their product, dealers need MB to provide said product and the revenue stream that comes from sales, servicing and warranty work. Given that every single warranty claim appears to need MB UK approval, it's clear where the power lies. Ultimately, the dealers can say what they like but unless MBUK agree, nothing will get done.

I don't doubt this is true for all manufacturers as well.

The real losers are us, the customers.

All warranty repairs will need the approval of the manufacturer or insurance company which provides it on their behalf, because they meet the cost - the dealer or repairer simply invoices them. This is true for Mercedes, other car manufacturers, washing machines, etc.

 

[mj2k]

I'm new to the whole dealer/manufacturer thing having never previously had a new car nor used dealers for anything other than aprts supply. Having recently bought a new car, I'm slowly reaching the feeling that dealers and MB exist in an uncomfortable realtionship of mutual distrust and distain. MB need the dealers to sell & support their product, dealers need MB to provide said product and the revenue stream that comes from sales, servicing and warranty work. Given that every single warranty claim appears to need MB UK approval, it's clear where the power lies. Ultimately, the dealers can say what they like but unless MBUK agree, nothing will get done.

I don't doubt this is true for all manufacturers as well.

The real losers are us, the customers.

There are many, many dealers / manufacturers worse than MB, e.g. Alfa dealers who are (un)affectionately known as the 'stealers' and don't know anything about Alfas over 3 years old, and Citroen... Ah, Citroen...

Servicing by Citroen dealers directly resulted in the death of two of my cars - one was a practically indestructible Xsara - they forgot to torque up the driveshaft bolts after replacing a cv joint, the driveshaft tore free and smashed a hole in the gearbox, another one was a CX where they damaged a hydraulic pipe after replacing a suspension sphere, rendering the car unrecoverable. In both cases Citroen found in favor of the dealers, so I'm never touching one ever again even though they've made some fantastic cars over the years.

Must admit the main reason I'm back to MB is because the dealer network is so good compared to other manufacturers, and the info available from the owner portal is superb. Best bet is just to avoid the MB 'lemon' models with corrosion / electrical issues and you're on to a winner

 

[Deleted member 126969]

Nice to know I picked one of the least worst ones then.....

 

[Benzowner]

I have a 57 plate B180 and the service intervals are 15000 miles or 12 months whichever comes soonest so can understand MB saying you exceeded your service schedule. A quote from my service book

"Initially Mobilo Life covers your new vehicle for the FIRST TWO YEARS. It is then renewed every time you have a service carried out at a Mercedes Benz Service Centre and is valid until the next service is due - for up to 30 years"

Also under exceptions

"caused by defect of which the purchaser was aware and which they did not arrange to have rectified immediately at a specialist workshop in accordance with manufacturers instructions"

I would say that buying the car second hand, the previous owner should have had the problems sorted as in you original post you say the car was bought with rusty panels. "It all started when we bought a B Class, we looked long and hard for a diesel auto will FMBSH a must we were advised not least for the RUST problem that they all suffer from which this one had."

 

[Chillbrazl]

Below from an MB Site.

It is only after sending this did MB change 'tack' and stop insisting my car was serviceable at set mileage or time intervals and change to 'the rust is not from the inside out' something that previously was not an issue. Even though they changed tack they have still never formally 'accepted' they were wrong even though I sent copies of all MB previous services, I even sent an Excel schedule showing all the varying intervals and mileages. They knew this and still for months they kept insisting we had failed to carry out services in accordance with their recommendations.

Mercedes-Benz passenger cars produced before 1997 were on scheduled service intervals of between 6,000 and 9,000 miles. As of 1997, new vehicles include the Active Service System (known as ASSYST). If your vehicle is fitted with the ASSYST system, the basic service is carried out and additional items such as spark plugs, fuel filter and air filters are changed depending on age or mileage. When these additional items are replaced, they are invoiced separately.
Is your Mercedes-Benz due for a service?

To find out when your Mercedes-Benz is due for a service, please click below to open the ESS (Electronic Service Sheet).[1]
Also, please click on the small blue boxes below to expand for more information.

Open the ESS (Electronic Service Sheet)

Service ASSYST 1997-2003
Many Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars are equipped with Service ASSYST. This is a variable service schedule alternating from A to B service - A being a small, routine service and B being a larger routine service. A service indicator will appear on your display approximately one month or 600 miles before a service is due. Services are normally due between 9,000 and 18,500 miles or between 12 to 24 months, depending on driving style.

Service ASSYST PLUS, 2003-2007
The majority of models produced between 2003 and 2007 were equipped with Service ASSYST PLUS. This is also a variable service schedule alternating from A to H service, with the letters indicating how much time and work will be expected to be conducted. A indicates a routine service and H would indicate a more in-depth service.

Service ASSYST Fixed Intervals, 2007-Onwards
Many models produced from 2007 have fixed service intervals. Services alternate from A to B and occur every 15,500 miles or after one year, whichever comes sooner. These fixed service intervals make it easier for you to plan your servicing around your schedule, making it less likely for you to miss a service.

For more information on the service display, please see your Owner's Manual –Operation/Service section.
Safeguard your Roadside Assistance cover – for up to 30 years
If your car was manufactured from January 2004 onwards, your Roadside Assistance cover gets automatically renewed every time your vehicle is serviced at a Mercedes-Benz Retailer. This means you will be entitled to up to 30 years Roadside Assistance in the event of a mechanical or electrical defect.
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