MB Service Plan query

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

mic1981

New Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Messages
27
Location
Cheshire
Car
2008 C220 CDI Sport
I’ve been looking at purchasing an MB Service Plan, but noticed the Ts and Cs state that if a car has an incomplete service history, it must be brought up to date before the plan can commence. Can anyone shed light on what *exactly* that means?

I recently bought an ‘08 W204 that has a complete MB history up until 2015. I’m assuming the terms mean I’d need a one-off MB service that encompasses anything specific to those 6 missed services to bring it up to date?

I’ve phoned two separate dealers and the main CS line, but actually getting to speak to someone to confirm is a nightmare!
 
I'd say you have interpreted that correctly, plus and software/firmware updates would need to be done.
Watch out for the dreaded diesel emissions update, do a search..
 
I’ve been looking at purchasing an MB Service Plan, but noticed the Ts and Cs state that if a car has an incomplete service history, it must be brought up to date before the plan can commence. Can anyone shed light on what *exactly* that means?

I recently bought an ‘08 W204 that has a complete MB history up until 2015. I’m assuming the terms mean I’d need a one-off MB service that encompasses anything specific to those 6 missed services to bring it up to date?

I’ve phoned two separate dealers and the main CS line, but actually getting to speak to someone to confirm is a nightmare!
Why do you want to go back to main dealer servicing it of interest?
 
It means that if last year the spark plugs needed replacing but you opted not to do them and now you have a service plan, you still pay for those spark plugs unless they are on their next cycle to be replaced based on milage/years.
 
@whitenemesis Would the diesel update apply to my car? I thought it only affected newer models since it’s been done through a recall and it’s not listed for me if I do a recall check.

@Gavnr I’ve not owned it from new, so I’m not going back per se, but with the age of the car and the corrosion issues etc. that seem to plague the W204, I figure I’d have a better chance of either identifying issues early or having MB cover affected parts with a full MB history.
 
My understanding is that they will not 'force' you to carry out any missing items, but simply won't cover them under the MB Service Care Plan.

So you will only get what you would have got if the car already had full MB service history, if this makes sense.

If, for example, the spark plugs were due in the last service but not done, then MB will not do them on this service (i.e., your car will be treated as if the spark plugs were done last service). Unless, obviously, you are willing to pay for it to be done outside of the Service Care contract.

If you go on ESS Lite, it will tell you what your car is due next, on the (obviously incorrect) assumption that it has been serviced to the manufacturer's spec so far.
 
I understood it as one would have to have the car brought up to the correct level of service before MB will allow one on the service plan. So, as the OP said, a one-off service to 'correct' the deficiencies ( e.g. spark plugs, fuel filter, software update), so depending on what has been missed it could be expensive.
One would have to ask, why go to the dealer for servicing, on an '08 car? I'm sure a good independent would sort it much more cheaply?
 
@whitenemesis Would the diesel update apply to my car? I thought it only affected newer models since it’s been done through a recall and it’s not listed for me if I do a recall check.

@Gavnr I’ve not owned it from new, so I’m not going back per se, but with the age of the car and the corrosion issues etc. that seem to plague the W204, I figure I’d have a better chance of either identifying issues early or having MB cover affected parts with a full MB history.
Even with a full MB history would Mercedes still warrant issues on a second hand 13 year old car ?
 
Even with a full MB history would Mercedes still warrant issues on a second hand 13 year old car ?

I think the OP was referring to the 30 year anti-corrosion warranty.
 
I understood it as one would have to have the car brought up to the correct level of service before MB will allow one on the service plan. So, as the OP said, a one-off service to 'correct' the deficiencies ( e.g. spark plugs, fuel filter, software update), so depending on what has been missed it could be expensive.
One would have to ask, why go to the dealer for servicing, on an '08 car? I'm sure a good independent would sort it much more cheaply?

You are technically correct, BUT.... I don't have evidence of it, but again my understanding is that this clause is a 'get out of jail' card for MB, I.e. they don't actually care what the car had done to it prior to you presenting it, as long as you don't expect them to do anu items that were previously missed. At the end of the day, the Service Care Plan is a financial transaction, you purchase services in advance and pay via credit, that's all there is to it.
 
I think the OP was referring to the 30 year anti-corrosion warranty.
Does not the warranty entail an annual MB dealer paintwork inspection to remain in force ?
That may have stopped in 2015.
 
Does not the warranty entail an annual MB dealer paintwork inspection to remain in force ?
That may have stopped in 2015.

In essence yes, though my understanding is that some members on here claimed successfully in spite of not having FSH.
 
My train of thought is that, say my subframe fails in a couple of years, MB are likely to be more sympathetic — whether warranty or goodwill — if one of their dealers has serviced it 2-3 times in that period, rather than me just rocking up as an unknown seeking compensation.
 
For a 13 year old C class you are going to spend the value of the car over the next 2 - 3 years having it serviced at a MB main dealer and there would be no guarantee that MB would pay for a subframe to be replaced on a 13+ year old car anyway. If you are concerned about the subframe then why not just get it inspected now - if it is going to be a problem in the next 2-3 years then it will be showing corrosion already - it wont go from good to bad overnight. And then for servicing find a local independent; the 204 220cdi unit is not difficult to service and work on.
 
Subframe corrosion is not easy to spot which is why ppl notice it when it happens.
 
On big services, the cost under the MB Service Care Plan will likely be considerably lower than that of a reputable specialist (though obviously not cheaper that a 'Kwik Fit special offer' type of service). On basic services, it's obviously going to be more expensive to have it done under the MB Service Care Plan.

As for subframe rusting... I can see the OP's point, but on a general note his risk is limited to the value of the car (on the premise that if the repair cost exceeds the value of the car, it will get scrapped). On a 2008 C-Class that cap isn't going to be massively high - so possibly not worry paying more for servicing.

But, again, if the next two services have lots of additional items, then the MB Service Care Plan might be a good idea.
 
On big services, the cost under the MB Service Care Plan will likely be considerably lower than that of a reputable specialist (though obviously not cheaper that a 'Kwik Fit special offer' type of service). On basic services, it's obviously going to be more expensive to have it done under the MB Service Care Plan.

As for subframe rusting... I can see the OP's point, but on a general note his risk is limited to the value of the car (on the premise that if the repair cost exceeds the value of the car, it will get scrapped). On a 2008 C-Class that cap isn't going to be massively high - so possibly not worry paying more for servicing.

But, again, if the next two services have lots of additional items, then the MB Service Care Plan might be a good idea.

Hi , I pay for a separate subframe / brake pipe inspection at a well respected indie.
 
Market value only comes into play if I want to sell the car or it’s an insurance write off.

The more relevant value is it’s value to me. I spent a long time tracking down a car in the exact spec I wanted, with good mileage, and in great condition, and I intend to keep it for the foreseeable and plan to put 50k-100k more on it, so spending a few hundred quid once a year is fine by me.
 
Hi , Mercedes Service Plans !

In theory the service plans are good value for money.

However , if many service requirements are not performed the MSP becomes very expensive and can cause problems in future years.

Has my gearbox oil been changed , sparks plugs changed , brake fluid changed and coolant been changed ?

How do I know and I am beginning to question the business ethics of the stealers who have serviced may car.

Let's say that a technician is given four cars to "service" in a day and by providing a semi service that figure becomes five cars a day.

My car only covers 3000 miles in a year and I am sure that the temptation arrises not to service the car to Mercedes specification.

This thread is written to the fact I know that the break fluid was not changed on the last B service , and I am concerned as to the oil specification used ( have email dealer and as yet no reply )

In the short term incorrect oil should not cause engine but could effect the ancillary components such as 2 x turbo chargers.

Remembering that I worked in the motor trade for years and the scams that some dealers use and took the opertnity to have my cars serviced by an Audi specialist at 1000 miles after the Mercedes service.

Let's see how long before I receive a reply to my email !
 
Hi , Mercedes Service Plans !

In theory the service plans are good value for money.

However , if many service requirements are not performed the MSP becomes very expensive and can cause problems in future years.

Has my gearbox oil been changed , sparks plugs changed , brake fluid changed and coolant been changed ?

How do I know and I am beginning to question the business ethics of the stealers who have serviced may car.

Let's say that a technician is given four cars to "service" in a day and by providing a semi service that figure becomes five cars a day.

My car only covers 3000 miles in a year and I am sure that the temptation arrises not to service the car to Mercedes specification.

This thread is written to the fact I know that the break fluid was not changed on the last B service , and I am concerned as to the oil specification used ( have email dealer and as yet no reply )

In the short term incorrect oil should not cause engine but could effect the ancillary components such as 2 x turbo chargers.

Remembering that I worked in the motor trade for years and the scams that some dealers use and took the opertnity to have my cars serviced by an Audi specialist at 1000 miles after the Mercedes service.

Let's see how long before I receive a reply to my email !

The Mercedes Benz Service Care Plan is simply a financial product, not a mechanical one.

Once you've signed-up to the plan, it's down to you to find a good and reputable dealer that you can trust. It is no different to choosing a good independent specialist.

So while I agree with all your comments, I would remove the reference to the MB Service Care Plan - it is unrelated to the quality of service at the garage, it is simply a method of paying for services.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom