Mercedes Benz - First time owner, help please

[rudzz]

Hi,

We purchased an approved used car from Mercedes Brighton a couple of weeks ago, it's an 09 plate, C180 Sport, petrol version, the car is fully specced with Satnav, heated leather seats, linguatronic etc. The sales team were really pleasant when we bought the car, but we haven't had the best of dealings with them since we signed the dotted line, the car was supposed to have been delivered last thursday (just before the easter weekend), we got a call on Thursday morning saying that the car had failed MOT due to some sensor failing and that the car would not be ready until Saturday (14/04/12), we went to the dealership yesterday to collect the car, they said the car had gone through a major service ? they did not give us the details of what had been repaired, it must've been something major considering it took them a week to set it right ? also the car had not been valeted properly, there was a lot of dust/dirt, big marks/stains on seats, a lot of chip marks on the rear bumper/boot which had been badly touched up etc, we told the salesman who sold the car that we were not happy with the condition, he was rude and said the car was second hand after all, at this point we realised we werent getting anywhere, drove off with the car, within 15 mins of driving the vehicle, a yellow engine management light switched on, on the dashboard, we called the dealership and they asked us to immediately bring the car back in, the car is now back at the dealership waiting to be looked at, since we have no previous experience with Mercedes cars, needed your opinion please

- Since the engine management light was on, this could mean a serious problem ? What is it that we need to look out for when we get the car back, we are very wary and dont want a car that's had engine work done on it ? Mercedes claim 140 point checks on all used cars, yet this car failed within 15 mins of driving off from the dealership ? What should I be asking the dealership on the repairs that have been carried out ? Should I perhaps ask for an extended warranty on the engine or should I walk away from this car and ask for a replacement ?

- The car had also done 800 miles extra than what was mentioned at the time of signing the contract, we haven't been compensated for this ? Considering this, the three week delay and the inconvinience we've had thus far, what would be a suitable compensation ?

Appreciate your help and time

Thanks
Rudzz

**Apologies for the long post**

 

[markjay]

Rudzz,

With regards the engine management light, it simply says that fault codes have been logs on the ECU, however the car will need to be connected to Mercedes Benz diagnostic computer - STAR - to see what the fault codes are. So the options range from 'nothing to worry about' to 'major fault'.

It's impossible to say if the car is a dud - and MB do not normally reveal to clients what warranty repairs have been carried-out on their cars. The time it took is not necessarily an indication either - they may have had a backlog at the workshop, or they may have been waiting for a sensor or other spare part.

In short it is difficult to give specific technical advice - and it is perhaps not practical to get the car checked independently. I would say that if you lost confidence in the dealer, then hand the car back and walk away. A rude salesman is not a good start, if they don't keep to their promises that does not help either.

But the C180 is a lovely car - keep looking and get a good one from a good source.

 

[markjay]

As for servicing - these cars alternate annually between 'minor' service aka A Service, and 'major service' aka B Service. But consider also the following:

Spark plugs change
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change
Pollen filter (cabin filter) change
ATF change (unless the box is listed as 'sealed for life' - some are)

(No need for coolant change on these cars for 15 years).

More details here:

Mercedes-Benz ESS

If you do decide to go ahead with this purchase, check that all the required service item - including the 'additional items' above - i.e. those that are not part of regular servicing - have been carried out.

 

[davidsw]

I would worry about dealing with ,what would seem ,a not very goood dealer.I would certainly expect an explanation as to why the car has 800 miles extra on the clock since the day bought it , once you signed who did they let use the car and travel a considerable distance.If they treat you like this now what about in a few months if you get another problem.?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Sorry, but an approved used 09 plate Mercedes should not be in the state you described, and for the salesman to say it was acceptable is unacceptable. It should have a warranty (if not the original one) the used one, and under case law and the Sale of Goods act it has to be of merchantable quality. Send them a recorded delivery letter to the dealer principal requiring them to fix the problem, specifying the areas where the car falls short of the standards you were led to expect (read Mercedes website for the description of their approved used programme) and require them to fix it.

If the mileage is higher than described they have misdescribed it.

Or, you can live with it - why did you accept it if it was so bad?

 

[Pendragon]

With what you described and the 800 miles extra on the clock plus the salesman being rude then personally I would not have driven the car away from there to start with as it doesn't bode well for any future dealings you may or most likely will have with them.

Just my opinion but I would have thrown the car back at them and used the money to buy another from somewhere else as my trust in them would be gone. I would also notify trading standards to see what they have to say.


Keith

 

[Dryce]

they did not give us the details of what had been repaired, it must've been something major considering it took them a week to set it right ?

- The car had also done 800 miles extra than what was mentioned at the time of signing the contract,

So one might infer that they loaned 'your' car out for some purpose and the sensor delay story is to cover the fact that they didn't get it back.

Couple of things here:

1) You should have a 30 day / 1000 mile exchange guarantee as part of teh AU scheme. Is the mileage on the day you picked up the car recorded? Otherwise you only have 200 miles of the 1000 miles left.

2) Regardless of any dispute you should be able to ask them for a full service history of the car for your own purposes. It should contain *dates* and details of work undertaken.

As regards the general state of the car and attitude. As you describe them they are not up to the standard I would expect for a MB AU car transaction.

 

[Dichtung]

Jeez, not another!

 

[Uncle Fester]

My first advice would be to walk away with a full refund, and back that up with a letter/email of complaint to the MD of that franchise!

If you really want to keep the car (see my first advice) then write to the MD with all the info you have given here, and ask him what kind of compensation he is prepared to give ( and I would be looking for money off, plus a 1 year full warranty as a minimum, I think that is fair.
If that is not forthcoming, see my first advice.

Don't feel pressurised into taking the car, just because you have signed some kind of contract, as the dealership/franchise are already in breach of that contract.

 

[npuk]

Personally I would walk away and find another car.

Also I think if you use the 30 day approved used exchange guarantee to give it back then you have to give the same dealer the chance to find you a car so you would still have to deal with them.

 

[mauno]

as fester and npuk says.walk away from it!!

 

[grober]

800 MILES!!! if that is accurate--- is the initial "deal mileage " documented on any paperwork or advert for example ? --- return the car - and walk away from this deal asap. Put everything in writing insist any response from the dealer is in confirmed writing also. A paper trail is essential in matters like this-- telephone calls can often mysteriously disappear into thin air.