MB Online Service Booking not recognising Specialist Services ?

[BMole]

My recently purchased S350CDI came with a print out of the Digital Service Report which shows 8 services by MB and the last 3 by MB Specialists.

The last MB service was 21.12.2018 at 70580 miles with Specialist services at 77190, 81578 and 87074.

I used the MB Online Service Booking Application link from the Servicing and ServiceCare FAQ sticky to get a quote - thanks st13phil and Bobby Dazzler - the result showed a mileage of 74000-ish with an invitation to phone MB.

Is this to be expected ? Or does it cast doubt on the authenticity of the Specialist services and/or DSR print out ?

 

[Will]

I think the last MB dealer service visit will show on the booking screen, it’s not a history check of the full DSB.

I always saw it as a good way to check when used cars were taken outside of the dealer network

 

[markjay]

An independent specialist can pay MB an annual subscription that entitled them to online STAR, access to WIS, and the ability to update the Digital Service Book (DSB), as well as buying genuine MB parts directly from MB at trade prices (but they are not allowed to sell them on, unless they fit them to the customer's car themselves).

But they are not part of the MB franchised dealer network, and you won't find them listed in any official MB website or other publication.

 

[tonysmb]

I have had a similar issue recently, ie a couple of years ago. I know that the service was updated on DSB by the independent specialist, however, I couldn't see it. They could. My understanding was that there was some change made around that time such that Joe Public couldn't view everything but garages could. I gave up in the end.

It didn't concern me as I keep cars for 10+ years and I had receipts for the service, and know exactly what as done, but it did a bit strange, and as time has gone on I have less confidence on the online service record than I did as it's only as accurate as the inputter and the system. I still have receipts/print out that show a fuel filter as a 'heat exchanger' and, of course, some will argue that the computer is never wrong. Hmmm.

 

[markjay]

Whenever the car was serviced by MB dealer, they gave me a printout of the service history thus far (and even stamped it). I noticed that the format of the printout was different to the DSB on Mercedes me online. I am assuming that the printout that the dealer hands out shows what they can see on their system?

 

[BMole]

Thanks for all your replies. They have clarified my thinking. It would seem that the DSB and MB's own records are seperate systems - my question came from assuming (without realising it) that they were integrated or at least linked. Being seperate makes sense given that non-MB personnel can update the DSB.

 

[markjay]

Thanks for all your replies. They have clarified my thinking. It would seem that the DSB and MB's own records are seperate systems - my question came from assuming (without realising it) that they were integrated or at least linked. Being seperate makes sense given that non-MB personnel can update the DSB.

Also, keep in mind that the MB DSB system only records scheduled service history.

Anything else that has been done to the car, will not be logged centrally, instead each dealer will keep these records on their own local IT system (with some exceptions, i.e. when it comes to different dealerships owned by the same group and who might have a shared IT system for all dealerships within the group).

So if you wanted the car's full history, including any repairs or other work (e.g. retrofits), then you'll need to know which garage(s) to ask for this info.

 

[BMole]

Also, keep in mind that the MB DSB system only records scheduled service history.

Anything else that has been done to the car, will not be logged centrally, instead each dealer will keep these records on their own local IT system (with some exceptions, i.e. when it comes to different dealerships owned by the same group and who might have a shared IT system for all dealerships within the group).

So if you wanted the car's full history, including any repairs or other work (e.g. retrofits), then you'll need to know which garage(s) to ask for this info.

Thanks markjay - useful to know.