MB Repair

[blacklion]

Never post in anger they say...

This week I took my car into MB Bromley for a repair with a starting issue.

Initial diagnosis - steering lock. £1300.
I argued that this was a ridiculous price and was answered with a 'discount' down to £1000. (hmmm)

Later that day a 'video' arrives in my inbox trying to upsell me brakes and disks (did I ask them to remove my wheels?! I forgot about that!)

Anyway, lock replaced - ah, seems to be an intermittent problem with the ignition also - it doesn't always start - funny that sounds like the initial fault!

So... £1500 later and a sinking feeling that the the steering lock was probably fine - did they go for the hardest to replace part first, knowing that the ignition was probably at fault? Hmmm?

I feel ripped off TBH. The whole experience from start to finish has Del Boy written all over it - I didnt expect this from MB but maybe I'm just being naive.

Anyone know how to check the old steering lock to see if it is really faulty?!

 

[paul_f]

Sounds like a technician didn't correctly diagnose the problem to me

 

[blacklion]

Perhaps... but how do you prove it - short of proving that the steering lock is not faulty?

I'm guessing that is more or less impossible to do?

 

[AMGeed]

Another good reason to find a good indy and use them for repairs. Just use the dealer for servicing until the warranty has run out then indy for everything.

 

[Rory]

I don't understand why you have to pay if they don't fix the fault?

 

[blacklion]

They fixed the fault... but I believe 1 of the 2 parts they replaced did not need replacing.

The problem with an Indy in this scenario - and I might be wrong here - but the Ignition and the Steering Lock is all linked with the Immobiliser and the keys and the codes and not your average run of the mill job...

 

[B-BOY]

I feel your pain, but might have been worth speaking to an Indy first see if it is in their scope. If it's all linked through star then they should be able too?

To be safe worth just finding a Indy for the future.

 

[jamesfuller]

Never post in anger they say...

This week I took my car into MB Bromley for a repair with a starting issue.

Initial diagnosis - steering lock. £1300.
I argued that this was a ridiculous price and was answered with a 'discount' down to £1000. (hmmm)

Later that day a 'video' arrives in my inbox trying to upsell me brakes and disks (did I ask them to remove my wheels?! I forgot about that!)

Anyway, lock replaced - ah, seems to be an intermittent problem with the ignition also - it doesn't always start - funny that sounds like the initial fault!

So... £1500 later and a sinking feeling that the the steering lock was probably fine - did they go for the hardest to replace part first, knowing that the ignition was probably at fault? Hmmm?

I feel ripped off TBH. The whole experience from start to finish has Del Boy written all over it - I didnt expect this from MB but maybe I'm just being naive.

Anyone know how to check the old steering lock to see if it is really faulty?!

It is possible, and it does sometimes happen that a car can have more than one fault, you would need to ask for the old parts to be retained and then you can test them. Only way to know for sure.

When they quoted a price, if you where not happy with it, you could have declined and done the work yourself.

The dealer has a duty of care, so its normal to check safety items such as brakes and tyres. They sent you the video to help you make a decision on if you wanted to go ahead with any further, nowt wrong with that.

 

[Minden99]

I always ask for the replaced parts as I also don't trust any dealers. But to be honest all OE manufacturers dealers are the same. But MB they did do me proud once when said offside upper front ball joint serious and needed replacing and if took off site they wanted disclaimer signing and this was only 2months after mot. When i saw joint it was well and truly knackered. Just for note if you can prove displaced part is not faulty take it back and DEMAND an explanation. They'll back down. If not stand your ground and raise your voice but stay focused and if done in showroom they soon resolve

 

[brianpaul]

Excellent Indy

If you are based in Bromley there is an excellent indy in Sidcup as follows.
Wright Tech uk ask for Andy he services both my Mercedes and is very reasonable on cost and gives great service.

 

[SLKGirl]

Surely it's worth you complaining, it may not result in anything however if you don't then they will continue doing it..

Must admit the advice of using a good independent when out of warranty is the best, I had a run in with my MB dealer recently, a wiper blade fell to bits, the two bits of metal either side of the rubber weren't holding the rubber, the rubber looked fine and at 5k miles they were hardly used, they tried to make out the rubber was torn and that I had done it using the the wipers when frozen to the screen, which was a lie, the car hardly ever goes out in the wet let alone in the ice and is covered/garaged when not in use, when I asked to see the blade again to verify what they were saying the blade had miraculously disappeared, they had no option but not to charge me in the end and I made a fuss.

They are also slow and reluctant to do any warranty jobs, on the 2 warranty issues it's been back with I've had to make a stand to get anything done and even then they have been very slow about it!

 

[renault12ts]

They fixed the fault... but I believe 1 of the 2 parts they replaced did not need replacing.

The problem with an Indy in this scenario - and I might be wrong here - but the Ignition and the Steering Lock is all linked with the Immobiliser and the keys and the codes and not your average run of the mill job...

Problem? Why?

They've been like that for years.

When I had a problem with my steering lock (the car wouldn't start) it was an Indy who diagnosed it...and £30 to fix. Do you think Indies are lesser than MB guys? Almost certainly they are superior.

You haven't stated what MB you have.

 

[t-dawg1]

This is why I ALWAYS get a second opinion from a different garage before getting ANY work done on my car...that's if I can't do it myself which I do most of the time