mobile life con ...or is it

[DansSlk]

The heading does not make it optional.

dan1w, I suggest you speak to MBUK and get the response to that question in writing because if you take your dealers advice you will be needing it when the bill arrives.

I don't mean to sound like a prat but i think you will find the response basically tells you that you must carry out the scheduled service at the dealer and the service includes all items on the list, taken either from the workshop code or the service book.

The 202 is pre ASSYST PLUS so when you open WIS and select ASSYST for a 202 it will give you the option of without scope display or with scope display, if for example you select a car with scope reading and select Service A you then have the option to select additional work but you will notice these are not optional and are laid out as a series of questions normally based around the following "If X longer than Y perform Z".

They are selected based on the info in the book and have to be carried out for the service to be completed, you will also notice that even if you don't select any of the options and generate a service sheet all of the work is still listed as additional.

The heading is meaningless those selections form the basis of the service and i would like to think that the dealer would take your word for things so if you say that you changed the fuel filter they select that they have changed the filter but that is technically not allowed so as i have said all along they can refuse to stamp your book.

Just get an official response from customer services before you do any service work or before you have your dealer do any, it wont cost you anything and could save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Also notice how some items are listed as inspect / bill additionally - they are optional.

 

[dan1w]

I am not deciding upon my own conditions, that's why I asked a MB service advisor. However, after reading the terms in my service booklet it does stipulate that any additional work does have to be carried out 'by a specialist workshop' (ambigious) so perhaps I was misinformed about maintaining cover when completing the work myself.

However, if a record of additional work is not kept on the database it wouldn't affect mobilo.

Mercedes Benz London retailers are part of DC. So maintaining service custom would be in their interests, although after reading a few posts on here I think arguing paint quality issues that they seem to be aware of would be a better avenue.

Anyway, we digress. To the original poster, it seems that by the terms in my service booklet, the dealer is within their rights to invalidate mobilo if the additional work is not carried out. However, since it only states that it has to be carried out by 'a qualified, specialist workshop in line with manufacturers instructions' the dealer would have no case if you had the car serviced at an independent MB workshop with access to MB software, MB trained engineers using MB parts.

 

[dan1w]

Dan,

I didn't expect the dealer to tick my service book as though they'd done the work, but as mentioned, I was misinformed by a service rep that obviously wasn't familiar with the T&C's. I will get an email off to MB to try and get in writing that additional service work can be completed by an independent specialist.

When I open the service sheet I don't get a listing of additional work if nothing was selected on the previous screen? If you're familiar with MB systems maybe you can confirm whether a record will be kept of additional work not completed?

 

[hawk20]

Oh dear. There does seem to be confusion about different Terms and conditions. As I understand it, Europe has ruled that car makers cannot make having all servicing done with their dealers a condition of the 3 year warranty. For that it is OK to use other specialists.

BUT there has been no ruling that MobiloLife cannot set its own T's and C's. It requires that you have services carried out at an MB dealer if you want the benefits it offers which include free breakdown cover in UK and Europe and a 30 year rust guarantee against rust from the inside. So if like me you want MobiloLife then you must use MB dealers not other specialists for 'services'.

 

[dan1w]

Hawk,

As I have mentioned, within the terms of mobilolife it only states that additional work be carried out by a specialist workshop to manufacturer's specifications. Service items such as fuel filter, transmission oil, cabin filter etc are actually mentioned under 'additional work' within the service booklet. I have emailed MB to clarify and will let you know the response.

 

[hawk20]

This from the MB website today: -
MobiloLife is valid on new Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold in the UK and the EU. It is valid for an initial period of 2 years from the date of first registration of the car *.

MobiloLife covers you for a broad range of incidents and over a remarkably long period of time. It’s not surprising, however, that it does have some limitations. It does not cover you in the event of damage caused by:



■ Accidents, external factors (e.g. theft, collision, stone chippings), environmental effects or lack of due care.

■ Deliberate or grossly negligent behaviour on the part of you, the driver, a passenger or a third party.

■ Changes that you make to the vehicle or vehicle parts that you install without the prior approval of Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd.

■ Repairs, body and paint work not performed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

■ Taking part in motor-racing or motorsport contests, military or similar manoeuvres, disaster-aid operations or similar events.

■ Warfare, civil unrest, earthquakes or other acts of God.

■ Non-observance of repair recommendations made by the Mercedes-Benz Authorised Repairer during an inspection.

■ Defects of which you were aware but did not have rectified immediately by a specialist workshop according to the manufacturer’s specifications.



* Following this initial 2 year period please note that MobiloLife is valid until the next service is due, for a maximum of thirty years. (Servicing after the second year has to be carried out by an authorised Mercedes-Benz Repairer.)

 

[glojo]

As I have mentioned, within the terms of mobilolife it only states that additional work be carried out by a specialist workshop to manufacturer's specifications. Service items such as fuel filter, transmission oil, cabin filter etc are actually mentioned under 'additional work' within the service booklet. I have emailed MB to clarify and will let you know the response.

I have never seen this, never read this, and have no knowledge about it whatsoever. I would be extremely grateful if you could post a link to any reference that states this.

as far as I am aware the terms are that we must have our vehicles serviced by an Approved Mercedes Benz Main dealer or Agent. There is no ambiguity about this, it is perfectly clear and well worded. The same applies for bodywork repairs and thsi helps clarify the wording. Go into Joe Bloggs Independent Bodyworks and if he has a certificate of approval swinging on the back wall, with a nice Mercedes-Benz Approval stamp on it, then we can use Joe Bloggs to carry out the repair. If an Independent Garage has a Mercedes-Benz Approval Certificate to carry out Service Work then we are free to use their facilities.

I am NOT a party man and I am NOT advocating you or I use main dealers; it is all about personal choice. It is my choice to go along a route others might not agree with, but each to their own.

If you own a garage and you say to your customers, "If you have your car serviced by my garage, I will offer a free brekdown recovery service"

What would your response be if one night I phone up and say 18 months ago you changed the oil on my car, I've broke down 40 miles away from your premises, could you come and recover my car for free please?

It is possible you may convince the garage to stamp your book, but are you being totally honest? I'm sure you think you are but this is a free service offered to a section of customers that keep within the dealer network and eventually I can foresee this excellent freebie being withdrawn. No other manufacturer offers this 30 year service and if we don't like it, we don't have to use it.

John

 

[crockers]

Is Mobilo a con?
I doubt it because we are not charged for the package.

I don't think this is 100% correct... it is marketed as a "free add on" .. but my experience in this world is that nothing is free..

It is built into MB profit and loss margins - therefore it is part of the cost of the car - part of the ongoing maintainance charge etc etc --

Where you are right is that it is not billed as a seperate item... I, always in my mind, discount my service cost by around £120 - THEN see if it is a fair price for the work done....

Just being pedantic ................as usual.


PS.. I bet MB love us to miss a service stamp.......lol

PPS am i right that if you miss one it is gone forever - or can it be resurrected by having the car serviced again at the main dealer ?

 

[raymont]

Glojo mentions that it's a free service. It isn't, the cost of this to MB is included in the price you pay for the car.

I don't know if this is something all MB dealers offer but dealer local to me offers 20% discount on labour and 10% on parts for cars betwwen 36 and 72 months old and 40% labour discount with 10% off parts for cars over 72 months old. This sort of offer makes it less painful to stay within the MB system and protect the Mobilo cover.

 

[crockers]

I don't know if this is something all MB dealers offer but dealer local to me offers 20% discount on labour and 10% on parts for cars betwwen 36 and 72 months old and 40% labour discount with 10% off parts for cars over 72 months old. This sort of offer makes it less painful to stay within the MB system and protect the Mobilo cover.

Can I ask where your local dealer is situated?

 

[davidjpowell]

I think MB must have tightened the resitrctions on the cover over the years. I had a 02 E320Cdi which started to leak derv when it was about 3 and half years old. The way the terms read, despite the last service having been done by an indie it was covered.

I was quite impressed - they had someone out within 1 hour who diagnosed a faulty fuel pump. A Flat bed picked the car up within 1/2 an hour, and 2 hours later I had a new S class at home. Of course it was recovered to the dealer, not my indie who I may have gone to otherwise, but they made a goodwill contribution to reduce the bill from £600 to £40, which was good!

I have decided to go for Service Plus on my latest car, as I now pay for bills myself and don't fancy any nasty surprises!

David

 

[raymont]

Th dealer is Tony Purslow ( Basingstoke, Guildford and Hindhead).

They market this as a loyalty scheme. Don't know if that means you have to have a servicing history with them for it to apply.

I previously had an E class estate which I kept for 8 years and had serviced from new by TP and got these discounts as the car aged. Worth it as MB replaced two rusty wings and fixed various other rust issues without a murmur.

 

[glojo]

I don't think this is 100% correct... it is marketed as a "free add on" .. but my experience in this world is that nothing is free..

Hi Crockers,
When I say free, I mean there is no annual subscription fee for the service. Of course it is budgeted for, but if a C-class went in for a service at a main dealer, there is no way there would be two prices, one for the owner that wants Mobilo and one for an owner that has opted out? (question)

I sound like a party man that fully supports main dealers; I'm not and I cannot see nothing wrong with having the servicing carried out by the dealer and any remedial work carried out by a known, competent independent. My problem is with folks that opt out of the Mobilo scheme and then try to take advatage of its benefits. If they owned a business would they tolerate that type of behaviour? We all want something for nothing, but just like you have very rightly suggested..... It doesn't happen. The day a business works for nothing, is the day it goes down the drain. Mobilo is not a con, it is not a rip off, it is a benefit for those that use the main dealer.

Yes you are being pedantic and no, you are not being awkward, or argumentative

Take care
Regards
John

 

[crockers]

pedantic................moi??

 

[DansSlk]

Dan,

I didn't expect the dealer to tick my service book as though they'd done the work, but as mentioned, I was misinformed by a service rep that obviously wasn't familiar with the T&C's. I will get an email off to MB to try and get in writing that additional service work can be completed by an independent specialist.

When I open the service sheet I don't get a listing of additional work if nothing was selected on the previous screen? If you're familiar with MB systems maybe you can confirm whether a record will be kept of additional work not completed?

That could be your version of WIS maybe mate, anyway sine you have e-mailed MB i would wait for the response and see what they say then work with that because you will have an amount of 'protection' since you have sought clarification from MB themselves.

I don't know of a not all work completed form in the system but I'm sure they can find somewhere to note it down, if they actually would / if MB would take any notice of the notes is another matter altogether.

I believe the important bit is your service book and John (glojo) has has the Mobilio people physically inspect his service book when his car last failed to start.

 

[DansSlk]

PPS am i right that if you miss one it is gone forever - or can it be resurrected by having the car serviced again at the main dealer ?

You just get it serviced at a dealer and the cover comes back.

 

[dan1w]

If it is the case that you can service the car yourself/get it serviced at an independent and then get your next service done by a dealer you can renew mobilolife, does that then mean that all additional work you may have had completed elsewhere will be called up on WIS and MB will then say you have to have it completed by them to maintain mobilo even though you may have had the work done within the timescales elsewhere, just because they have no record of it in your service book?

I hope that makes sense. If you were to have your car serviced independently and then have the next service done at a dealer, you would not expect them to try and force you to complete work the independent has already completed. In that case, what stops me from saying I've had a new fuel/air filter fitted already....here's the receipts.....they do the service and then mobilo is back in effect.

 

[television]

Just had a mail shot from MB SW where they are falling into line and giving discounts when the car is 3 years old, and again, more when it gets to 6-7 years old, this is on parts and labour, this came with a voucher worth £50 off my next B service and £25 off the MOT.


Its not to be sneezed at MB SW do try hard

 

[DansSlk]

If it is the case that you can service the car yourself/get it serviced at an independent and then get your next service done by a dealer you can renew mobilolife, does that then mean that all additional work you may have had completed elsewhere will be called up on WIS and MB will then say you have to have it completed by them to maintain mobilo even though you may have had the work done within the timescales elsewhere, just because they have no record of it in your service book?

I hope that makes sense. If you were to have your car serviced independently and then have the next service done at a dealer, you would not expect them to try and force you to complete work the independent has already completed. In that case, what stops me from saying I've had a new fuel/air filter fitted already....here's the receipts.....they do the service and then mobilo is back in effect.

I believe that they can say that yes, like i said in a previous post i would like to think they would use some common sense and take on board what work you have completed but they could technically refuse.

What springs to mind with having an indy do a service and then go back to MB is the service book, if you have the indy stamp it then they will mark off what they have done and MB can service the car accordingly (only do whats needed) but if you want to keep Mobilio it would be worth checking that MB don't mind re-instating it if an indy's stamp is in the book.

My understanding is they won't re-instate but they might do so its something that needs verification, if they wont re-instate you have a problem if you want to keep Mobilio because although they are saying it will be re-instated after a break from dealer service if that is not the case with an indy's stamp in the book what do you do, the way i see it you have 3 choices.

1) Have the indy stamp the book so the car keeps a service history, save time and money at MB because they will see from the book in the case of your car what has been done but risk Mobilio.

2) Don't have the indy stamp the book and go to MB for all scheduled service work, this will give you doubling up on a lot of things and will cost more but you will keep service history and Mobilio.

3) Don't have the indy stamp the book and then return to MB after 1/2 services you will keep your Mobilio but have a gap in the service history.

If MB are prepared to return Mobilio with an Indy's stamp in the book thats great news and shows for once they are playing semi-fair but if they are not prepared to re-instate it then saying the cover returns when its serviced at a dealer is meaningless because name me anybody who would leave a gap in a modern cars service history and then try to sell it so basically what they are saying is kill the cars value or use MB.

None of this applies of course if you only use the indy for un-scheduled stuff, if you develop an issue in between services for instance because they will not stamp the book in these situations.

 

[DansSlk]

I'm just wondering if any of you know the answer to this, if not no worries i will ask MBUK when i am back in work.

In the T&C's posted by hawk, number 3 pop's out at me.

What do they class as changes that could be anything from a supercharger to carbon trim in place of silver, as for the parts that you install without approval does that include MB parts if so anybody who has ever changed the trim or hell even somebody who has had COMAND retrofitted could possibly fall short of the rules should MB need to find a get out.