MBUX dashcam!

[mercmercmerc]

I bought the Mercedes dashcam app. It works button start it recording takes several inputs plus nearly a 2 minute wait for the app to show on the screen.
My car insurance requires me to have a working dashcam. Every time I stop, even for petrol I have to do this. Years ago while moving my Mercedes off my house drive I bumped into a neighbours car I wouldn’t have started the dashcam for a few yards of driving. If I or my wife, forget to turn it on we are not insured I suspect Mercedes decision to not have it auto start with the ignition means lots of drivers unknowingly driving uninsured! I have heard that Mercedes say that it is a requirement of Uk law that the driver has to make a conscious action to turn it on. Isn’t turning on the car ignition a user input? I have tried to find the uk privacy law that prevents this but I can find no such law. I have always had a dashcam that starts with the ignition have these been breaking uk law all these years? Mercedes please sort this out as I will return for refund rather than risk driving without insurance cover. I will then have to buy and fit an after market dashcam with wires across my dash. Nowhere before purchase are we told about this issue apart from a statement that it is ‘on demand’ What does this mean? The brakes are on demand.

 

[John N]

I bought the Mercedes dashcam app. It works button start it recording takes several inputs plus nearly a 2 minute wait for the app to show on the screen.
My car insurance requires me to have a working dashcam. Every time I stop, even for petrol I have to do this. Years ago while moving my Mercedes off my house drive I bumped into a neighbours car I wouldn’t have started the dashcam for a few yards of driving. If I or my wife, forget to turn it on we are not insured I suspect Mercedes decision to not have it auto start with the ignition means lots of drivers unknowingly driving uninsured! I have heard that Mercedes say that it is a requirement of Uk law that the driver has to make a conscious action to turn it on. Isn’t turning on the car ignition a user input? I have tried to find the uk privacy law that prevents this but I can find no such law. I have always had a dashcam that starts with the ignition have these been breaking uk law all these years? Mercedes please sort this out as I will return for refund rather than risk driving without insurance cover. I will then have to buy and fit an after market dashcam with wires across my dash. Nowhere before purchase are we told about this issue apart from a statement that it is ‘on demand’ What does this mean? The brakes are on demand.

That's a new one for me! I've never heard of any Insurance Company insisting on a Dash Cam being constantly recording and if not your Insurance is Invalid!

There are many "After Market" Dash Cams out there that are Activated on Ignition Start Up and are either Cheaper or similar in Price the the MBUX Built In!

Hard Wiring will remove the scenario of "Wiring Across the Dash" If you are unable to "DIY" there are Mobile Firms that can assist for around £60 for a Front Cam!

 

[mercmercmerc]

John. I like many people taking out insurance are asked if a dashcam was fitted. As I was going to. It the mb app I told them there was. I went out for a newspaper today. Only 3 miles. Had to restart the dashcam 3 times and wait while the app appeared on the screen. This is crazy. We know there will be times when we forget to restart it. And not only may I not be insured but if involved in an rtc I will have no footage. I was looking forward to this and not having a dashcam stuck to my screen. Thanks Mercedes and there is not a uk privacy law unless it records inside the vehicle without warning stickers. Turned on with the ignition is a user input.

 

[markjay]

While I sympathise with your woes (you're not the first to complain about the MB dashcam), the insurance isn't part of it.

You've been asked if there's a dashcam fitted. There was no suggestion that the policy is invalidated if the camera isn't recording (you are also asked where the car is parked overnight, but this does not mean that if you happen to park it elsewhere and the car gets stolen, you won't be covered). These questions are used by the insurer to calculate statistical risk, that's all.

In short, if you're looking to use the insurance question regarding the dashcam as a legal angle in your dispute with MB, then my personal opinion is that you are barking up the wrong tree.

Best of luck.

 

[mercmercmerc]

Ok but as I told the insurance company that it had a dashcam and they quoted me based on that. I would not expect or trust them not to use it as an excuse not to payout if I could not send them footage. I am going to request a refund of my £170 and fit my old Nexbase dashcam which of course records both image and sound legally. What a disappointment as a long time Mercedes customer. I will speak to my insurance company tomorrow , Mercedes gb and the uk privacy authority. Possibly the last Mercedes I will buy.

 

[markjay]

Ok but as I told the insurance company that it had a dashcam and they quoted me based on that. I would not expect or trust them not to use it as an excuse not to payout if I could not send them footage....

You can always call the insurer and clarify this point over the phone?