Mobilo v AA

[WJR]

If you were under the impression that Mobilo was an adequate alternative to the AA, I'm afraid it isn't. I didn't renew my AA membership at the end of July thinking it was, but even with Service Plus it was hopeless when I had my first problem (moronically putting some petrol in a diesel car). Mercedes first of all said that whatever they did I would have to pay for in full, and their only solution was to tow the car to the nearest Mercedes dealer that could not look at it until the following day (the mishap was 2 - 3pm Thursday). They said they would then have to remove the fuel tank to clean it which would take around three hours, and worse if I had put the ignition on (which I hadn't). Given I was in the middle of nowhere this didn't appeal, so I telephoned the AA, who said that if I re-joined they would sent a fuel expert out to drain the engine on the spot within an hour or so, to which I agreed.

When the AA fuel mechanic arrived he suggested moving the car off the forecourt, and said it would not cause any harm to put the ignition key in (but not start engine) to unlock the steering. Mercedes eventually agreed this was the case. He then said it wasn't necessary to remove the fuel tank given I hadn't started the engine, and again, Mercedes eventually agreed this was correct. So, the whole thing was solved in about ten minutes, cost £200 including wasted fuel and I was on my way. With Mercedes it would clearly have cost £700 plus, and even if Mobilo had covered the cost of my stupidity, I would have been needlessly stuck miles from anywhere useful for not far off 24 hours.

I'm sure all of the above would have been clear if I'd read the small print, but my experience was that the AA were there primarily to help, and Mercedes to profit.

 

[R2D2]

I have comprehensive Green flag despite Mobilo. Glad you got sorted!

 

[Rory]

MB keep messing around with Mobilo and the "minor mishap" cover, which would have sorted this, runs out after some period of time.
On new cars (after 1st April 08) it will be possible to renew it, to keep it going when they reach 4yrs old.

To be fair, I think it's only the AA that have the specialist fuel drain units, so they're probably the only breakdown service properly equipped to deal with this eventuality on the spot.


The more likely thing you'll need "minor mishap" cover for is wheel changing, perhaps if you get stuck on a motorway and don't fancy doing it yourself, or if your wife etc drives the car.

 

[verytalldave]

My opinion is once a car is out of guarantee, then it makes sense to get the car serviced by a good, competant indie and also join an independant breakdown recovery organisation.
For all the reasons given by the OP.
This is exactly what I have done.

 

[Paddcomp]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but it is a similar topic. Does anyone use the AA for their breakdown repair cover?
I colleague of mine swears by them for all three of his cars and have used the service several times for each car. You need some basic AA cover to start with and can then add breakdown repair for £67p/a.
Not as comprehensive as Service Plus but not as expensive either.

 

[IanA2]

I have been singulary unimpressed with Mobilo and their alleged service

 

[Rory]

Did you know that the cover Lexus provides, LexusCare, not only covers your Lexus, but also *any* other car that you're the driver of, or passenger in?

 

[Ali_H]

The AA Fuel Assist service is available to both members and non-members, a call out costs £176.25 for members and £199.75 for non-members.

 

[IanA2]

The AA Fuel Assist service is available to both members and non-members, a call out costs £176.25 for members and £199.75 for non-members.

That's new. Last time MrsA2 put wrong fuel in there was no charge.

 

[Ali_H]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/aa-fuel-assist.html

I remembered reading it somewhere and just googled it!

 

[Dieselman]

Quote from the AA website:
The number of motorists who put the wrong fuel in their car has doubled over the last ten years

You can of course think up your own wording if you feel theirs isn't quite accurate.

 

[st4]

Quote from the AA website:
The number of motorists who put the wrong fuel in their car has doubled over the last ten years

You can of course think up your own wording if you feel theirs isn't quite accurate.

With these prices. Are people mad

 

[Dieselman]

With these prices. Are people mad

Not quite what I was thinking.

 

[st4]

Not quite what I was thinking.

What were you thinking. Maybe its the rise of diesels and their refinement, so folk get confused and put petrol in their oil burner. My old man dunnit...

 

[st13phil]

What were you thinking. Maybe its the rise of diesels and their refinement, so folk get confused and put petrol in their oil burner. My old man dunnit...

This wasn't your dad, was it?

 

[hawk20]

The AA Fuel Assist service is available to both members and non-members, a call out costs £176.25 for members and £199.75 for non-members.

Just shows what good value Mobilo is. And it comes free with MB servicing. Great value I've found it. I had a minor problem with an ML while I owned it and they lent me an S class while they fixed it. Hard to complain!

My brother woke one morning to find two flat tyres on his A class. Probably vandals. Had to get somewhere urgently. Mobilo brought him a hire car and took his away and fixed it ready for when he got home. Helpful and good.

 

[Rory]

Just shows what good value Mobilo is. And it comes free with MB servicing. Great value I've found it. I had a minor problem with an ML while I owned it and they lent me an S class while they fixed it. Hard to complain!

My brother woke one morning to find two flat tyres on his A class. Probably vandals. Had to get somewhere urgently. Mobilo brought him a hire car and took his away and fixed it ready for when he got home. Helpful and good.

..but none of that would be available on a car over 4 (or is it 3?? - Mobilo control often isn't sure itself) years old.

Just had our Honda Jazz serviced at 5yrs old and Honda renewed the Honda Assist (or whatever it's called - it's operated by the AA and is essentially the top level AA cover) for free. Service cost £160 (still a lot for an oil change especailly as the engine takes about 100mls of oil) but the AA cover wouldn't have been much less than that on its own. Now that is "great value".

(By the way, no other work required on the Jazz, no "your brake pads need doing" etc call. In 5yrs not even a bulb has blown).

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just had our Honda Jazz serviced at 5yrs old and Honda renewed the Honda Assist (or whatever it's called - it's operated by the AA and is essentially the top level AA cover) for free. Service cost £160 (still a lot for an oil change especailly as the engine takes about 100mls of oil) but the AA cover wouldn't have been much less than that on its own. Now that is "great value".

(By the way, no other work required on the Jazz, no "your brake pads need doing" etc call. In 5yrs not even a bulb has blown).

Snr Dazzler is thinking of swapping their Jazz as it comes out of warranty in December, or maybe extending ot. I suggested it would be the safest of bets for keeping out of warranty. Good to hear you've never had a problem.

I think he's bauking at the thought of a big service bill though - IIRC someone posted about a c£300 service on their Jazz, maybe your good self? Changing could save a big bill and extending the warranty.

 

[hawk20]

..but none of that would be available on a car over 4 (or is it 3?? - Mobilo control often isn't sure itself) years old.

Just had our Honda Jazz serviced at 5yrs old and Honda renewed the Honda Assist (or whatever it's called - it's operated by the AA and is essentially the top level AA cover) for free. Service cost £160 (still a lot for an oil change especailly as the engine takes about 100mls of oil) but the AA cover wouldn't have been much less than that on its own. Now that is "great value".

(By the way, no other work required on the Jazz, no "your brake pads need doing" etc call. In 5yrs not even a bulb has blown).

How many miles has the car done? My brothers A class has not needed any new pads either in 35,000 miles and his last service said they had about 60% still left. And none of his services have required extra work. You seem to want to continually praise Honda and run down Mercedes. Odd approach for a Mercedes enthusiast.

Are you saying it is normal and standard for Honda to offer Honda Assist free for 5 years on all cars at any mileage. Can't find that on their website. Perhaps I missed it?

 

[Rory]

Snr Dazzler is thinking of swapping their Jazz as it comes out of warranty in December, or maybe extending ot. I suggested it would be the safest of bets for keeping out of warranty. Good to hear you've never had a problem.

I hummed and harred about extending the warranty and I spoke to the Service Manager at the dealership about it and he said (obviously unofficially) that he wouldn't do it. There are three issues which affect some Jazz's - EGR valves, manual box bearings and the roof to C post seals can fail in some cars causing water in the boot (people think it's the rear lights leaking, but it isn't).
However, this being Honda, they will cover the cost on all cars up to 5yrs old. I heard of them replacing an engine on a 5yr old CRV that didn't have full dealer service history and an autobox on a 7 year old Accord.

Not taking the extended warranty does mean you would normally have to buy breakdown cover if you're not covered elsewhere, so that could be deducted from the cost of the warranty. My dealers offer of free Honda Assist this year was a surprise - I don't know if that's offered elsewhere and if it will continue.

I think he's bauking at the thought of a big service bill though - IIRC someone posted about a c£300 service on their Jazz, maybe your good self? Changing could save a big bill and extending the warranty.

The big service is the valve clearances and plugs (8 of them) need doing and the clearances are awkward as they're shimmed. Honda say this design improves the MPG so the owner is better off - I haven't done that calculation! In reality they apparently never need adjusting, but the dealers insist they have to be checked.

This work only needs doing every 25000 miles regardless of age, but if that coincided with the 3yr brake fluid (why does Honda's brake fluid last 3yrs and it's 2 with everyone else?) change, plus MOT, then the bill would be pretty big.

If they're thinking of changing soon then the new Jazz is out here in October so they could change to that, or, if they're happy with the current shape then they might get a pretty good deal to take one of those.