No service book with car?

[bulldoze]

Hi I bought a 55 reg W203 220cdi from main Mercedes dealer 2 weeks ago and we have still not received the service book. The salesman has fobbed us off at every opportunity and we are approaching the 1000mile point where I believe we can hand it back.

I do not want a car with no service book as it would be very hard to sell I imagine and if they do give me a new service book then it will not have the previous history stamps on it - again making it difficult to sell.

Where do I stand here? It seems the salesman is waiting for this 1000mile 30 day grace to go before he tells us that the book has been lost. I am not happy with the service provided so far so am I entitled to just give the car back and get a refund?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[jaymanek]

I would return the car until they produce it...
Very easy for them to get a service history stamped up.

the blank books are always in stock, just needs to be stamped with the details.

lets hope its nothing more sinster.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=52551

 

[bulldoze]

It does sound a bit dodgy now you point it out a nearly 3 year old car that has only done 22k and no service book to be found? but how am I to tell?

 

[IanA2]

Jay's advice is very sound.

 

[Dieselman]

Phone Mercedes Customer Car on 00800 1777777 and tell them your concerns and ask for the history on file.

 

[st4]

This is my one issue with mine, the salesman showed me it on screen and told me I'd have it in a few weeks. Nice emails + numerous messages and no reply. I intend to keep it but its coming up for another service and I would quite like it.

I'll pop in after work and surprise him....I'll pretend I am after a 204 or something...

 

[Dieselman]

Do you want us to have a sweepstake on what lies he will come out with when you ask where your book is...

 

[st4]

Do you want us to have a sweepstake on what lies he will come out with when you ask where your book is...

Go on, it will be a bit of fun (and something other than the police for me to moan about)

 

[Dieselman]

No 1 lie.
We sent it to you in the post, didn't you recieve it.

No 2 lie.
The service department didn't get round to doing it, no problem we'll get it to you.

No3 lie.
Service books are back ordered in Germany.

 

[st4]

No 1 lie.
We sent it to you in the post, didn't you recieve it.

No 2 lie.
The service department didn't get round to doing it, no problem we'll get it to you.

No3 lie.
Service books are back ordered in Germany.

I'll add in no.4

Its not in my control, I haven't forgotten about you but I am awaiting the stamp from MB in Solihul.

 

[Smiley]

Is the 30 day 1k mile period an opportunity to get a refund or is it excahnge for another car?
In any event it does not matter; you have waited long enough for the service book and you are right the lack of it will knock thousands off the value - a buyer will not believe the mileage is genuine. Out of interest does the receipt say that the mileage is warranted?
I would send a recorded delivery letter saying that they have 7 days to get you the service book failing which you will be returning the car and asking for your money to be refunded in full.
If no book then park the car in front of the main door and hand the keys in with another letter saying the car is returned, rejected as no service history book suplied (as had been promised at point of sale) in a reasonable period and requesting refund within 3 days.

 

[bulldoze]

The car is a Mercedes Benz Approved car so I would have said the mileage must be warranted surely?

 

[Smiley]

The car is a Mercedes Benz Approved car so I would have said the mileage must be warranted surely?

I would have thought so yes - but you are going to have a hard time proving that in 3 or 4 years time when you come to sell it - buyers will dismiss it and look at the next one with a full history.
You should not pay MB approved used car prices (ie to wack for top car with proper history) without the book - it is not fair on you.

 

[Corrado]

Is the 30 day 1k mile period an opportunity to get a refund or is it excahnge for another car?
In any event it does not matter; you have waited long enough for the service book and you are right the lack of it will knock thousands off the value - a buyer will not believe the mileage is genuine. Out of interest does the receipt say that the mileage is warranted?
I would send a recorded delivery letter saying that they have 7 days to get you the service book failing which you will be returning the car and asking for your money to be refunded in full.
If no book then park the car in front of the main door and hand the keys in with another letter saying the car is returned, rejected as no service history book suplied (as had been promised at point of sale) in a reasonable period and requesting refund within 3 days.

The recorded delivery letter is a good way to proceed. Do some homework to find out the name of the garage owner/manager so that it is they who receive it. Do you have a copy of any ads for the car that says it had service history? If so, include a copy to make it very clear that service history is part of the deal. Keep it reasonable and depersonalise it (refer to A.Aardvark Garages Ltd, rather than Mr Oilsnake, the salesman). Request a written reply in case things need to be taken further (small claims, trading standards .

 

[bulldoze]

I will give the salesman another call today - with a bit of tougher talking. trouble is my wife will have to use the car next week and that will take it over the 1000 mile mark.

 

[pammy]

I'd go down there today then and see the manager of the dealership - no one else and explain the position and that unless he does something there and then you are leaving the car and will require an immediate refund . Explain this is due to the 1000 mile limit being imminent and there beng no sign of this issue being resolved before it is breached therefore leaving you no choice.

Get there as soon as though as most service dept's shut at 12 - 12.30 on a saturday and you'll need it to be open.

 

[bulldoze]

Yep the manager confirmed that service book is lost and they are getting a replacement bookfrom Germany. They did state that they supplied the car last time so they have all the service details. I don't know how this will affect used value of the car when I sell it though.

Not a great outcome but not a lot I can do really.

 

[Corrado]

Yep the manager confirmed that service book is lost and they are getting a replacement bookfrom Germany. They did state that they supplied the car last time so they have all the service details. I don't know how this will affect used value of the car when I sell it though.

Not a great outcome but not a lot I can do really.

Not wanting to worry you, but I'd want that in writing - currently the risk is still yours. If they're true to their word it'll be no problem for them.

 

[pammy]

Yep the manager confirmed that service book is lost and they are getting a replacement bookfrom Germany. They did state that they supplied the car last time so they have all the service details. I don't know how this will affect used value of the car when I sell it though.

Not a great outcome but not a lot I can do really.

To be honest if they have all the service history on record and can show it to you then it's not such an issue depending on how long you want to keep the car and how you will get rid of it. If trade in at MB then no issue - if not then big issue of no service record. I would insist on having it in writing from the manager that unless the record is with you within the next seven days then you will return the car even though it has gone past the 1000 miles as they will be in breach of contract.

To be fair although they do have other service books in, they do have a certificate in them relating to the specific car so maybe getting it from Germany will be better in the end - but you need that assurance you aren't going to be stiffed.

 

[Dieselman]

The car is a Mercedes Benz Approved car so I would have said the mileage must be warranted surely?

That's just what Donza thought. Beware, read his thread and act NOW, just in case.