hawk20
MB Enthusiast
MORE NEW INFO ON MOBILOLIFE
Recently I posted some new information on MobiloLife and in response to questions said I would seek further clarification from my high level source in Mercedes. I now have this and set it out below. For completeness, and to save save members reading through pages of older stuff to find this information, I am posting here all the new information that I have. I hope administrators may consider making this thread a ‘sticky’ for a while as the info affects all owners of Mercedes cars and their has been much confusion about just what cover is available.
There is -or has been recently- an error on Mercedes website and in some of their literature saying that punctures and other "minor mishaps" (losing the key, running out of fuel etc) are only covered for two years by MobiloLife on cars sold since 2004. I have raised this with Mercedes at a high level and can now confirm the correct position.
MB Germany only give a two year guarantee on cars purchased and registered in Europe (ex UK). And two years MobiloLife cover for minor mishaps.
In the UK the situation is different: we have a 36 month guarantee, of which two years are covered from the factory and one extra year is paid for by MB UK.
When changes were made to MobiloLife a few years back (2004?), for cars purchased and registered in the UK, MB Germany removed 'minor mishaps' cover except for the first two years. BUT MB UK added a third year (to match the guarantee period).
This third year is not clear from the website (but it will soon be made clear) and I have sent our threads to Mercedes to show the confusion and have had this situation confirmed by a director of MB UK.
He says: -
"To address your concerns with regards to "minor mishaps" cover, which includes attendance for punctures, the situation remains as per our earlier conversation. The European offer from the
factory is for two years only, but for all vehicles purchased and
registered in the UK we add a further year to provide a total of three years "minor mishap" cover.
I have looked at the website and will ensure that this is made clearer in the future."
VEHICLES FIRST REGISTERED AFTER JAN 1st 2004
I also raised with Mercedes the confusion about whether if FullMBSH had lapsed could MobiloLife be reactivated by returning to getting services done at an MB dealer. Some have been told yes by dealers and others have been told no. He confirms that it can be reactivated even after a significant gap: -
"It is true that for vehicles registered after 1st January 2004, you can re-enter the Mobilo programme at anytime by having your vehicle serviced at an Authorised Mercedes-Benz repairer and whilst I understand concerns at this statement we feel that the more we can do to encourage lapsed customers back into our network the better for all concerned and we do not wish the lack of Mobilo cover to be a barrier to that eventuality."
VEHICLES FIRST REGISTERED BEFORE JAN 1st 2004
I said I would try to get the position for older vehicles clarified as well. The Director from Mercedes has given me this answer: -
“For vehicles pre-January 2004 there seems to be some confusion, which hopefully my earlier replies haven't caused. These vehicles are entitled to 30 years MobiloLife cover for technical breakdowns only, provided they have a continual Mercedes-Benz Service History. Any break in this history results in exclusion from the programme with no opportunity to buy back in.
The Minor Mishaps cover for these vehicles was limited to four years only and not for the 30 years you quote, and with no opportunity to extend cover. I apologise if this was not clear before.”
I hope members find this helpful.
THE FUTURE.
I have sent Mercedes links to all the recent threads on this site and the other main one. I have made clear my view that many members highly value ‘minor mishaps’ cover and that some way should be found to extend this cover beyond the three years currently available, even if a charge has to be made. Many people going to business or other important meetings do not want to get filthy changing wheels, many with bad backs or other ailments cannot change wheels, and many members wives/partners, daughters and mistresses (mine included) neither want to, nor know how to change a wheel properly. If we have to join the AA to get this kind of cover a major part of the reason for staying in Mobilo with FMBSH will be lost. I realise Mercedes can give no commitments at this stage but I get the firm impression they are at least considering whether there is a case for some method of extending Mobilo beyond the current 3 year maximum. Let us hope they come up with a satisfactory solution.
There is -or has been recently- an error on Mercedes website and in some of their literature saying that punctures and other "minor mishaps" (losing the key, running out of fuel etc) are only covered for two years by MobiloLife on cars sold since 2004. I have raised this with Mercedes at a high level and can now confirm the correct position.
MB Germany only give a two year guarantee on cars purchased and registered in Europe (ex UK). And two years MobiloLife cover for minor mishaps.
In the UK the situation is different: we have a 36 month guarantee, of which two years are covered from the factory and one extra year is paid for by MB UK.
When changes were made to MobiloLife a few years back (2004?), for cars purchased and registered in the UK, MB Germany removed 'minor mishaps' cover except for the first two years. BUT MB UK added a third year (to match the guarantee period).
This third year is not clear from the website (but it will soon be made clear) and I have sent our threads to Mercedes to show the confusion and have had this situation confirmed by a director of MB UK.
He says: -
"To address your concerns with regards to "minor mishaps" cover, which includes attendance for punctures, the situation remains as per our earlier conversation. The European offer from the
factory is for two years only, but for all vehicles purchased and
registered in the UK we add a further year to provide a total of three years "minor mishap" cover.
I have looked at the website and will ensure that this is made clearer in the future."
VEHICLES FIRST REGISTERED AFTER JAN 1st 2004
I also raised with Mercedes the confusion about whether if FullMBSH had lapsed could MobiloLife be reactivated by returning to getting services done at an MB dealer. Some have been told yes by dealers and others have been told no. He confirms that it can be reactivated even after a significant gap: -
"It is true that for vehicles registered after 1st January 2004, you can re-enter the Mobilo programme at anytime by having your vehicle serviced at an Authorised Mercedes-Benz repairer and whilst I understand concerns at this statement we feel that the more we can do to encourage lapsed customers back into our network the better for all concerned and we do not wish the lack of Mobilo cover to be a barrier to that eventuality."
VEHICLES FIRST REGISTERED BEFORE JAN 1st 2004
I said I would try to get the position for older vehicles clarified as well. The Director from Mercedes has given me this answer: -
“For vehicles pre-January 2004 there seems to be some confusion, which hopefully my earlier replies haven't caused. These vehicles are entitled to 30 years MobiloLife cover for technical breakdowns only, provided they have a continual Mercedes-Benz Service History. Any break in this history results in exclusion from the programme with no opportunity to buy back in.
The Minor Mishaps cover for these vehicles was limited to four years only and not for the 30 years you quote, and with no opportunity to extend cover. I apologise if this was not clear before.”
I hope members find this helpful.
THE FUTURE.
I have sent Mercedes links to all the recent threads on this site and the other main one. I have made clear my view that many members highly value ‘minor mishaps’ cover and that some way should be found to extend this cover beyond the three years currently available, even if a charge has to be made. Many people going to business or other important meetings do not want to get filthy changing wheels, many with bad backs or other ailments cannot change wheels, and many members wives/partners, daughters and mistresses (mine included) neither want to, nor know how to change a wheel properly. If we have to join the AA to get this kind of cover a major part of the reason for staying in Mobilo with FMBSH will be lost. I realise Mercedes can give no commitments at this stage but I get the firm impression they are at least considering whether there is a case for some method of extending Mobilo beyond the current 3 year maximum. Let us hope they come up with a satisfactory solution.
