MB free vehicle health check

[merc180k]

My SL has had free MOTs at my local main dealer (M-B Guildford) since I bought it (not from them, either). Far from making up stuff that needs doing, it's never had so much as a single advisory. They did a free aircon service on it recently, too. Not conditional on anything - I got a voucher in the post, took it in, came back with the aircon checked & recharged (and car valeted too).

We had a GTG at M-B Romford where all the cars were given a free health check ... the only comments on mine were brake disks coming up for replacement and driver's door needing a new check strap. Both true, and already known about.

I just had a letter from Rossets Commercials (M-B Aldershot) offering a free health check on our Vito before the warranty expires, which was a pleasant surprise and presumably not aimed at getting money out of me.

Yes I'm sure there are dodgy M-B (and other) dealerships around, but so far I've not experienced this.

I have to say that I wish my local MB dealer in Edinburgh was the same as this. Last time it was in (MOT last year) the dealer told me that I needed £1700 work done on the car and failed it. . One of the service manager guys took me aside and suggested a local ex MB guy that had set up on his own and low and behold actual repair bill £360 with no charge for the fresh MOT).

Car has never been back to MB dealer with this years MOT sailing through with no faults at my new trusty mechanic. Even send the wife's car there for all the servicing and MOT work.

I think the main difference on price was that MB have a "replace not repair" policy and that their labour charges are >£90 an hour! Shame in my opinion as until then I was an MB dealer advocate - now once burned and all that...!

Simon

 

[philepo]

Ian Walker at 124 works in Kirkham is your man! He is a member on this forum

Maybe I should have said yorkshire, Preston is too far, but thanks.

 

[philepo]

Everybody knows that the free health check is a trap to get your business as they got nothing better else to do, might as well give it a go. The "free" is never free.

I would say that about Nation Crap fit, but they didn't try and flog anything either . I think it is in the interest of MB to keep old cars on the road for reputations sake, but if they give me a ridiculous estimate I will let you all know, and we can all laugh at it!

 

[h17n dj]

My SL has had free MOTs at my local main dealer (M-B Guildford) since I bought it (not from them, either). Far from making up stuff that needs doing, it's never had so much as a single advisory. They did a free aircon service on it recently, too. Not conditional on anything - I got a voucher in the post, took it in, came back with the aircon checked & recharged (and car valeted too).

We had a GTG at M-B Romford where all the cars were given a free health check ... the only comments on mine were brake disks coming up for replacement and driver's door needing a new check strap. Both true, and already known about.

I just had a letter from Rossets Commercials (M-B Aldershot) offering a free health check on our Vito before the warranty expires, which was a pleasant surprise and presumably not aimed at getting money out of me.

Yes I'm sure there are dodgy M-B (and other) dealerships around, but so far I've not experienced this.

Yeah i get free MOT's from the Merc dealer here in Milton Keynes as my car is over 7 years old and has a full MB service history! :d... she passed on friday without any advisories what so ever :d woop woop

 

[jon browne]

A good northern indie? I use Elite Independent at Elland near Halifax just off junc 24 M62. Two ex Mercedes techs fully up to date with all courses etc. Experts and honest! I was 40 years in the trade and am a fusspot. They are superb. 01422 310202

 

[lxi]

Everybody knows that the free health check is a trap to get your business as they got nothing better else to do, might as well give it a go. The "free" is never free.

Wrong.

Had two free health checks at MB Harrogate - one on present car, one on previous. Nothing "discovered"

Also had a free MOT courtesy of the same - passed

No, I didn't buy it from them.

Some dealers are trying hard, but for sure there will be opportunists out there too.

 

[jasonyw]

Wrong.

Had two free health checks at MB Harrogate - one on present car, one on previous. Nothing "discovered"

Also had a free MOT courtesy of the same - passed

No, I didn't buy it from them.

Some dealers are trying hard, but for sure there will be opportunists out there too.

It not opportunists but opportunity. At least with the catchword "free", they got your car instead of someone else, this is naive marketing.

 

[lxi]

It not opportunists but opportunity. At least with the catchword "free", they got your car instead of someone else, this is naive marketing.

Not wishing to start an argument, but ...

"Free" in this instance isn't a catchword, it's a commitment - full stop
Yes, they got my car - but nobody else offered a free healthcheck
Naive marketing? I don't think so - it's good marketing because I took my car back to them for a service 6 months later and just to pre-empt the next "but" - I got the service carried out for the same price as my nearest independent quoted. As I said, some are trying hard

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I also had a good experience with a free healthcheck at the dealer.

They gave it a good once over, valeted the car, and even connected it to Star. We even ate a load of posh food and fruit. Passed me the keys, gave me a summary of what the Star print out meant, and wished me a safe journey. Not even a dealer I'd used before.

 

[RobertoMercini]

Anyone used Boston Mercedes before? If they carry out these free health checks I may get one done just before my next service

 

[killwilly]

Anyone used Boston Mercedes before? If they carry out these free health checks I may get one done just before my next service

I recently bought my CLC from MB Boston, a great bunch of very helpful people, unlike my experience with MB Peterborough. I have also been given a free health check for some time in the future. At the moment I have less than 1500 miles on the clock.

If you do decide to use them, keep us posted.

 

[philepo]

Update.

MB did the free health check yesterday and found 1100 quids worth of work, on a car worth about 1100 quid!

A bottom ball joint and thinning break discs are fair enough, but 600 for new rear diff seals, don't make me laugh! Most cars have slightly leaky diffs don't they?

They did not pick up on the engine oil overfill. They also noted that the g/box level was fine, so why it needed toppin gup last year is still a mistery.