Mis-sold FMBSH car - Any comeback?

[ET4]

Quite angry with myself really.
I recently bought a W203 Estate with all the toys etc advertised with a FULL MERCEDES BENZ service history, 1 owner.
Checking the car over as you do, rolling round on the floor and so on felt more than happy the car was straight.
Checked the history and it seemed the car had been maintained regardless of cost with receipts for 2K+ at the dealership.
Service book showed Mercededs Benz Wirral (or so I thought) up to last year.
Turns out the last 3 stamps are from M B Wirral who are independant specialists. (near identical stamps)
While I am more than happy with the car, I am less happy it was advertised as a FMBSH car.
What am I losing by not having the car serviced by MB? and also can I expect any 'compensation' from the dealer who sold me the car?
Comment please.

 

[st4]

If the car is a good one, who cares. Its still a good car.

If it's a bad car and caused you over and above the norm expenses, and its because the SH isn't is in order, then maybe.

However, the garage will take the stance, as would I, that a specialist history is a full MB one as MB approved oil goes in, and MB parts go on.

 

[ET4]

Fair comment. I called MB Wirral and the guy said the car had been maintained well with the mileage steadily increasing. He did say all their service parts were genuine MB parts.
How do I stand with the body warranty from MB though?

 

[st4]

Did you buy it from a main dealer?

How long have you had it?

I'd be tempted to hold onto it if its a decent example as you run the risk of being exchanged into a basket case car. If there is a warranty claim situation, say, well you sold it to me as an approved used car. Either pay the claim, or refund me my money now please.

 

[davidjpowell]

How do I stand with the body warranty from MB though?

About where you started. MB have a history of wriggling through every loophole known to man.

 

[ET4]

Only had it a few weeks. I bought it from an independant. To be fair I paid a good price for it.

 

[st4]

Only had it a few weeks. I bought it from an independant. To be fair I paid a good price for it.

You won't have a dealer warranty so it is irrelevant. The warranty cover the indie gave you will pay for work at a dealer or independent.

 

[ET4]

I have it booked in at my local MB specialist SPR Autos for an inspection next week. I think that will set my mind at ease.
As for the lack of MB history, perhaps not as bad as I though.

 

[Dieselman]

I have it booked in at my local MB specialist SPR Autos for an inspection next week.

I wouldn't bother, M.B.Wirral are a very good indie.

It might be worth seeing if the trader will give a bit off as the history isn't as stated, but in reality, it's not worth worrying about.

 

[neilrr]

I have it booked in at my local MB specialist SPR Autos for an inspection next week.

I wouldn't bother. The indy has confirmed it's been looked after. You might ask them for a print out of the work they've done over the PO's time but unless there's a fault or problem I'd leave it until the next due service.

 

[Will]

I really wouldn't worry about it

Sort of goes against the point of the thread, booking it into another Indie because the last three stamps weren't from MB?

 

[prprandall51]

I have it booked in at my local MB specialist SPR Autos for an inspection next week. I think that will set my mind at ease.
As for the lack of MB history, perhaps not as bad as I though.

You are concerned that your car hasn't always been lavished with the meticulous attention of the main dealer but instead has been serviced by an independent specialist and then you go to another independent specialist for their opinion on the matter.

Something's not making sense here. You either have faith in independents or don't, surely?

 

[A150]

Can I just say that the main guys at MB Wirral are from MB West Kirby. When MB West Kirby closed down. Two of the guys with many years experience between them opened an Indi of their own.

They are a good bunch of lads. Very helpful, even if you just want to ask them a couple of questions. Plus they do a good job on your car at a much cheaper rate than the likes of MB Liverpool.

I've known them from their MB West Kirby days. And I still use them now.

Tony.

 

[markjay]

...What am I losing by not having the car serviced by MB? and also can I expect any 'compensation' from the dealer who sold me the car?...

On a S203 C200K? Nothing. The difference in selling prices between main dealer servicing and indie is negligible to non-existent. Might be different if the car was new, expensive, or special (e.g. AMG models). I am not playing down your car, it a fine purchase, I myself have a 180K, but once the actual value goes down - into single-digits thousands - main dealer vs good indie will make very little difference in the car's value, if at all.

Had you spotted it before signing on the dotted line, you could have potentially wriggled something out of the dealer by way of 'compensation' for it being 'not as advertised' - he would probably want to make a deal. But as things stand this will be difficult - and you don't really want to reject the car if it's good.

Plus, my understanding is that if you get the next service done at MB, it will restore both the Mobilo and the anti-rust warranty, if these are important to you.

Said that, no harm in contacting the supplying dealer to see if they are willing to do something for you to keep a customer happy - you never know.

But either way, as others said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Enjoy the car.

 

[npuk]

Car will have been looked after better at the indie than at a main dealer.

 

[steve333]

The only time you will get told full mb service history makes a difference is if you trade it in at an mb dealership without one.

 

[ET4]

You are concerned that your car hasn't always been lavished with the meticulous attention of the main dealer but instead has been serviced by an independent specialist and then you go to another independent specialist for their opinion on the matter.

Something's not making sense here. You either have faith in independents or don't, surely?

Receving a service book that is supposed to be Mercedes Benz from start to finish, suddenly plants a seed when it's not by asking the question 'Is everything as it seems?'
Getting a second opinion for £50 from a local specialist garage I have used many times is a no brainer in my opinion.

 

[steve333]

Receving a service book that is supposed to be Mercedes Benz from start to finish, suddenly plants a seed when it's not by asking the question 'Is everything as it seems?'
Getting a second opinion for £50 from a local specialist garage I have used many times is a no brainer in my opinion.

I've viewed a couple of ml's recently advertised with full mb history the first had 60k on the clock & was 41/2 years old with 2 mb stamps at 29k & 2 years/53k/50 months the second 45k & 41/2 years old also 2 mb stamps 23k/2 years,44k 49 months nither had had the atf/filter changed(due at 37,500) & the servicing is scheduled at 15,500 or annualy-personally i would have been more inclined to buy either if an mb specialist/indi had serviced them as scheduled & the atf/filter service had been carried out at 37,500,you pays your money & takes your chance!

 

[ras8963]

"However, the garage will take the stance, as would I, that a specialist history is a full MB one as MB approved oil goes in, and MB parts go on.'"

That would be unless they were buying the car or accepting as part exchange..
R

 

[steve333]

"However, the garage will take the stance, as would I, that a specialist history is a full MB one as MB approved oil goes in, and MB parts go on.'"

That would be unless they were buying the car or accepting as part exchange..
R

^ Although you are correct to a certain degree that doesn't excuse the fact the car was sold to the op as full mb history.