Mercedes Mobilo partnership with RAC

[MD5]

I've used Mobilo once, about 18 months ago, after locking my keys in the boot of my SL with the roof down, 200 miles from home. The MB tech turned up I think within about half an hour, and decided to refresh his lock picking skills on the boot. I was at a car event, and he attracted a few interested onlookers, so after about 15 minutes of fiddling he got fed up and went the IT route by opening the door, plugging in his laptop and unlocking it via Star.

During out conversation he was saying how MB's own vans and techs were being pulled, and that in future the RAC would be carrying out Mobilo calls, with little more than standard equipped vans. There was some mention of the cost of licensing from the Star aspect and I got the impression that Mobilo life was to become the same as any other breakdown service with no real Mercedes expertise or equipment on board.

 

[survey]

I've used Mobilo once, about 18 months ago, after locking my keys in the boot of my SL with the roof down, 200 miles from home. The MB tech turned up I think within about half an hour, and decided to refresh his lock picking skills on the boot. I was at a car event, and he attracted a few interested onlookers, so after about 15 minutes of fiddling he got fed up and went the IT route by opening the door, plugging in his laptop and unlocking it via Star.

During out conversation he was saying how MB's own vans and techs were being pulled, and that in future the RAC would be carrying out Mobilo calls, with little more than standard equipped vans. There was some mention of the cost of licensing from the Star aspect and I got the impression that Mobilo life was to become the same as any other breakdown service with no real Mercedes expertise or equipment on board.

If this is the case it's quite worrying. Haven't used Mobilo much but when I have, the service has been very good

 

[Benzmanc]

Interesting that you know the Service Plan info in incorrect, but you're convinced Mobilo is OK!

It isn't covered because the indie is not an authorised repairer. If they were, why wouldn't they make a massive deal about on their website?

Maybe Mobilo will slip up and turn out, who knows? Hopefully you'll never have to test it.

You can believe whatever you want, my phone call to MB customer services earlier this year confirmed it's active. I'll go on their info not yours

 

[Rory]

You can believe whatever you want, my phone call to MB customer services earlier this year confirmed it's active. I'll go on their info not yours

Good luck! I wonder how often MB customer services have told people something that was nonsense?

All of the specialist MB indies can update the digital service record - it would be massive thing if that allowed Mobilo cover to continue, and it would remove a huge part of the incentive to use the offical network. Having said that, unless it's changed again, new MBs are covered come what may for 4yrs, so it only becomes an issue after that.

But it might work - I suppose it depends what level of checks they do when you call for help.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Mercedes outsourced roadside assistance to the RAC a number of years ago so it’s not really new, just only recently it is now 100% RAC

In each region there are a number of Mercedes trained techs in MB RAC vans with Star units, mostly dedicated to technical call outs so there are some Mercedes boffs on the roads out there

Got to say the one time I had to use it, in which I didn’t really need it, they arrived within 40 minutes. It wasn’t an MB tech, but got the assistance I needed and all was resolved

Also! - Independent garages using genuine parts and who are VAT registered, who also pay to have Mercedes access to the DSB to carry out servicing, this DOES top up roadside assistance, paint warranty etc etc

 

[AJA]

I've been with the AA for years now. I have 'the works' including Breakdown Repair costs covered by them (up to £500 per claim). The last time I used them the wife had a Passat and they sent a VW Customer Care Van with a very knowledgable tech. The time before that I had a 320i and got a BMW tech. So you don't always get the standard AA man and van when you call them.

 

[rf065]

You can believe whatever you want, my phone call to MB customer services earlier this year confirmed it's active. I'll go on their info not yours

One of mine hasn't been serviced by Mercedes for over two years but still shows as having Mobilo cover. I've no doubt If I phoned Mercedes, customer service would probably confirm it if the same mistake showed on their system. But when it came to who's paying, I bet the truth would come out very quickly.

 

[fuzzys]

I've been with the AA for years now. I have 'the works' including Breakdown Repair costs covered by them (up to £500 per claim). The last time I used them the wife had a Passat and they sent a VW Customer Care Van with a very knowledgable tech. The time before that I had a 320i and got a BMW tech. So you don't always get the standard AA man and van when you call them.

It really depends on the car manufacturer. We have a lexus and a normal AA van comes out as that’s the service they bought with the AA. VWAG have bought the silver vans and they have to bring out a silver van. If they aren’t able to get them then it’s a normal AA van. Hence why you mentioned that the VW customer care car came and was knowledgeable as he was a vw technician employed by the AA.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Had to get Mobilo out today, flat battery and metal key wouldn’t work

Mercedes sent out a Mercedes tech (silver Mb van) who had a star machine and all sorts. He said there’s about 80 of them throughout the uk who deal with specific problem callouts

 

[markjay]

..flat battery and metal key wouldn’t work..

How did this happen? I.e. the metal key blade not working?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

How did this happen? I.e. the metal key blade not working?

There’s a bit of a knack to using the blade.

 

[clk320x]

Had to get Mobilo out today, flat battery and metal key wouldn’t work

You must not be using the car enough Ash, if you need someone to drive it for a bit, let me know!

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

How did this happen? I.e. the metal key blade not working?

Really not sure wether it was user error, or it just completely had the wrong key inside. I only got the one fob with the car. Guess it’s a good prompt to get two fresh keys programmed and cut

There’s a bit of a knack to using the blade.

I had pliers on the key, wouldn’t turn the door barrel, it would turn the boot barrel fully but nothing would happen. Very annoying!

You must not be using the car enough Ash, if you need someone to drive it for a bit, let me know!

Haha, two months since I last used it. Battery was a goner, t’was the original one also so I just got him to fit a new one

 

[markjay]

Obviously it's a good idea to:

- Test both metal keys

- Lubrucate and test the driver's door lock and the boot lock

...from time to time