Part shortages?

[Diana1990]

If your replacement car irks you, just explain that you need something bigger or better. (Your elderly mother needs space for her walker or wheelchair, or can’t cope with the rear doors.)

Unfortunately I lost my mum in April last year . This car was bought outright with part of the inheritance she left me and my brother. So there a whole other side of me that wants that car back ASAP because of how it was bought.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I'll show the pictures of my car.... For me this is drivable at least I first thought. But because the head light wasn't sitting correctly when bonnet was open and technically flopping around, Mercedes declared it un driveable. I couldn't understand to begin with why they just wouldn't repair and why they would need to order complete new bumbers for front and back. I thought at least the rear number could be repaired easily, but they said no. Probably dealers rather then repair will replace.

For me yeh , shipped means shipped on route. But previous posts suggested that they were notified it was shipped, only for the months later no part. Do you see my concern? The guy dealing with it all at Mercedes did say they are thinking it'll arrive Tues/Wed and my car will be stripped down on Monday ready for it. So I gotta take him at his word I guess, but something feels off to me right now after hearing other stories whet they say shipped and 2/3wks later it's still a no show. The A1 will do for now, I'm just annoyed cause I only bought my MB 25th Sept and 3wks later or off road due to no fault of my own

Agreed and understood. Now you know why insurance is so expensive and how Mercedes makes most of its profit from parts, service and finance - not on new cars.

A few years older and the car would have either been fixed in a body shop or been written off (for someone else to repair)

 

[Diana1990]

Well, a standard body shop probably would have repaired or got a pattern part of it needed a whole new part and chances are my car would have been back properly early next week. But cause Mercedes have taken it on they will source proper parts, geniune Mercedes parts.

However, they could use a pattern bumber which they could get same day or next, but only if I gave them permission too. I had a pattern bumber put onto my Mazda years back and it fitted a charm, so not sure why people can be against them. It's like for like just not made in MB factory. This is an option for me if that part doesn't arrive quick enough.

Would you go against at pattern bumber?

 

[Diana1990]

Also, this accident occurs Monday morning, 21st. So I'm only 5 days in. Not sure how long to wait until I make them do pattern bumber

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Well, a standard body shop probably would have repaired or got a pattern part of it needed a whole new part and chances are my car would have been back properly early next week. But cause Mercedes have taken it on they will source proper parts, geniune Mercedes parts.

However, they could use a pattern bumber which they could get same day or next, but only if I gave them permission too. I had a pattern bumber put onto my Mazda years back and it fitted a charm, so not sure why people can be against them. It's like for like just not made in MB factory. This is an option for me if that part doesn't arrive quick enough.

Would you go against at pattern bumber?

Mercedes don't make bumpers or cables, or seats, or tyres or.... Car manufacturers assemble parts which come in from specialist component suppliers.

It's unlikely that anyone's making "pattern bumpers" for a small volume car like this. If such a thing exists, it'll be simply from the factory that makes them all in Hungary.

The UK's an expensive place to do business. Rates, rentals, staff... everything costs a fortune. That's why it's much cheaper for YOU to receive such bulky thing from a central European store than from the bloke on the light industrial estate down the road.

 

[Diana1990]

Mercedes don't make bumpers or cables, or seats, or tyres or.... Car manufacturers assemble parts which come in from specialist component suppliers.

It's unlikely that anyone's making "pattern bumpers" for a small volume car like this. If such a thing exists, it'll be simply from the factory that makes them all in Hungary.

The UK's an expensive place to do business. Rates, rentals, staff... everything costs a fortune. That's why it's much cheaper for YOU to receive such bulky thing from a central European store than from the bloke on the light industrial estate down the road.

So, these parts... These cars are being made in Hungary? Not Germany? Guy at dealership said its a Germany order, for me I assume it's coming from Germany. I understood Patterns parts like bumbers are made to the specifications of the original, just not stamped as geniune part. I feel had I gone direct through my insurance or the guys insurance, my car would be repaired in half the time, I thought going too Mercedes would be quicker and safer, but doesn't look to be quick at all haha. The car was £17,500. Doubt it's dropped in price, but the repair bill looks set to be £12k. A standard body work garage I would expect it to do it around the £7k mark or less. Have I made the right choice going direct through Mercedes and Auxillis?

Either way, I think I'll give them set amount of time to get part to them, should that pass I will insist them source a part not direct from Mercedes, because that's gonna be the hold up it seems. It's just frustrating lol

Too right about this place being expensive, you can't get away from it anywhere.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

So, these parts... These cars are being made in Hungary? Not Germany? Guy at dealership said its a Germany order, for me I assume it's coming from Germany. I understood Patterns parts like bumbers are made to the specifications of the original, just not stamped as geniune part. I feel had I gone direct through my insurance or the guys insurance, my car would be repaired in half the time, I thought going too Mercedes would be quicker and safer, but doesn't look to be quick at all haha. The car was £17,500. Doubt it's dropped in price, but the repair bill looks set to be £12k. A standard body work garage I would expect it to do it around the £7k mark or less. Have I made the right choice going direct through Mercedes and Auxillis?

Either way, I think I'll give them set amount of time to get part to them, should that pass I will insist them source a part not direct from Mercedes, because that's gonna be the hold up it seems. It's just frustrating lol

Too right about this place being expensive, you can't get away from it anywhere.

A Mercedes main dealer will not use copy parts for its repairs.

Western Europe is an expensive place to operate. Taxes everywhere. That's why your car was made in Hungary, and will have used local suppliers. If your service department says the bumper is coming from Germany, then it probably is coming from some kind of central logistics store somewhere in Germany.

Cheer up. If this had been a Jaguar, Renault or Peugeot, you could have been waiting for months because of the backlog they have for repairs and parts.

 

[Diana1990]

A Mercedes main dealer will not use copy parts for its repairs.

Western Europe is an expensive place to operate. Taxes everywhere. That's why your car was made in Hungary, and will have used local suppliers. If your service department says the bumper is coming from Germany, then it probably is coming from some kind of central logistics store somewhere in Germany.

Cheer up. If this had been a Jaguar, Renault or Peugeot, you could have been waiting for months because of the backlog they have for repairs and parts.

Funny you should say Peugeot. I had a 308 64 plate up until last month, made the switch to MB and I didn't look back.

I understand obviously going to MB they use their real parts, hence the prestige and cost behind it all. But end of the day, the car it's mine and if they took too long I can insist. They even said themselves they would but only if they gotten my prior permission first and it was gonna take weeks on end to repair. I'm prepared to wait a certain amount of time. Chances are that I've over worried myself , need to trust the fact the part has actually been shipped. I never thought there could be potentially a wait, A Class is quite common, and this one ran from 2018-2023 so parts should be in plenty right?

 

[markjay]

The part may indeed be shipped from a warehouse in Germany, but there's no telling where it was actually manufactured (unless the country it was made in is stamped on the part itself or its packaging, but you won't see it before it's fitted anyway).

Regarding pattern parts, setting aside the fact that a dealer won't generally fit non-genuine parts (as MikeInWimbeldon pointed out) - other than in some very specific circumstances - the issue isn't that all pattern parts are poorly made, instead the issue is that you can't be sure of the quality of the pattern part or that it will fit properly until it's too late, and then you end up with a dispute with the garage who will likely be reluctant to replace the part at their own cost.

Use of non-genuine parts in general (and not limited to body panels) is only recommended if the manufacturer is known to be one who makes good qualiy parts: Lemforder for suspension parts, Sachs for dampers, Pilkington for glass, SKF for bearings, Gates for timing gear, Knecht for filters - the list is long.

The MB stamp on the part that you buy (and that wasn't made by MB themselves) is your assurance that the part is of the same quality as the original part fitted to the car at the factory, and that it will 100% fit properly. There's no issue in telling MB 'thanks, but I'll do my own research, then buy a non-genuine part that I am confident will be of good quality and good fit' - but buying a non-genuine part blindly isn't a good move.

Personally, I'd be happy with a body shop fitting non-genuine parts if the repairer who I know and trust said to me 'I've been working with this brand for a long time now, they make excellent body panels, and I've never had a problem with the parts they supplied - I guarantee that it will be 100% perfect'.

 

[Diana1990]

The part may indeed be shipped from a warehouse in Germany, but there's no telling where it was actually manufactured (unless the country it was made in is stamped on the part itself or its packaging, but you won't see it before it's fitted anyway).

Regarding pattern parts, setting aside the fact that a dealer won't generally fit non-genuine parts (as MikeInWimbeldon pointed out) - other than in some very specific circumstances - the issue isn't that all pattern parts are poorly made, instead the issue is that you can't be sure of the quality of the pattern part or that it will fit properly until it's too late, and then you end up with a dispute with the garage who will likely be reluctant to replace the part at their own cost.

Use of non-genuine parts in general (and not limited to body panels) is only recommended if the manufacturer is known to be one who makes good qualiy parts: Lemforder for suspension parts, Sachs for dampers, Pilkington for glass, SKF for bearings, Gates for timing gear, Knecht for filters - the list is long.

The MB stamp on the part that you buy (and that wasn't made by MB themselves) is your assurance that the part is of the same quality as the original part fitted to the car at the factory, and that it will 100% fit properly. There's no issue in telling MB 'thanks, but I'll do my own research, then buy a non-genuine part that I am confident will be of good quality and good fit' - but buying a non-genuine part blindly isn't a good move.

Personally, I'd be happy with non-genuine body parts if a repairer who I know and trust said to me 'I've been working with this brand for a long time now, they make excellent body panels, and I've never had a problem with the parts they supply - I guarantee that it will be 100% perfect".

I see what you mean. It definitely seems them I'm just in seat of having to wait. Obviously you have pattern parts that are bought blindly and not of good quality. But as you quite rightly mentioned there are proper places you can source the pattern part safely and so forth. As I stated before, I bought this car with my mums inheritance she left after she passed, so that's a big factor behind me wanting the car back ASAP.

Regarding where is actually manufactured, for me that's of no concern because it would be geniune sourced part made specifically if that makes sense. In my shoes what would you do? Wait an indefinite time? I did estimate it would be 2-3wks til my car is returned and I'm prepared to wait and for it to be repaired to a exceptional standard. I'm not prepared however to be told Tues... Wed....Thurs that the part was shipped but we have no delivery date because that's open ended, that gives me no assurance at all the part is genuinely on its way to me/dealer. If they told me, yes it's shipped and we have estimate delivery of such date than fair enough.

Am in being too inpatient here?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Don’t be concerned, it’s only been 5 days. They’ve told you that it’s been shipped and it probably has been. It will take as long as it takes. The sentimental value will mean that you want it back soon, but I would say that it’s more important that you want it back right

They will have said “from Germany” because it will be Mercedes-Benz AG who is supplying the parts, because they’re not held in stock in the UK by either Mercedes-Benz UK, the dealer group or the dealer. It doesn’t mean that it’s actually being made by or sent from Mercedes in Germany.

I appreciate your car is an AMG Executive line however I would suggest that equivalent means a premium small hatchback from European brand rather than specific trim level. Had your car been a 7 seater because you have 5 children then even an A-Class AMG Executive line wouldn’t be equivalent.

You can rest assured that the car is equivalent because Accident Management firms make their money by putting you in the most expensive car they can justify to the insurer, for as long as they possibly can. The day rate of that car would make your eyes water.

Do take a second look at the Terms & Conditions of what you have signed with accident management company because there have been cases in the past where they have passed on unjustified costs to the insurance company and the individual becomes liable. Rare but it happens.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Am in being too inpatient here?

Yes, and as things stand it’s all moving along nicely from a timIng point of view. There’s no need to be concerned until there’s need to be concerned

 

[Trickythemerc]

At 12k to repair I would have thought the insurance company would have written it off.

 

[markjay]

Don’t be concerned, it’s only been 5 days. They’ve told you that it’s been shipped and it probably has been. It will take as long as it takes. The sentimental value will mean that you want it back soon, but I would say that it’s more important that you want it back right

They will have said “from Germany” because it will be Mercedes-Benz AG who is supplying the parts, because they’re not held in stock in the UK by either Mercedes-Benz UK, the dealer group or the dealer. It doesn’t mean that it’s actuall
Being made by or sent from Mercedes in Germany.

I appreciate your car is an AMG Executive line however I would suggest that equivalent means a premium small hatchback from European brand rather than specific trim level. Had your car been a 7 seater because you have 5 children then even an A-Class AMG Executive line wouldn’t be equivalent.

You can rest assured that the car is equivalent because Accident Management firms make their money by putting you in the most expensive car they can justify to the insurer, for as long as they possibly can. The day rate of that car would make your eyes water.

Do take a second look at the Terms & Conditions of what you have signed with accident management company because there have been cases in the past where they have passed on unjustified costs to the insurance company and the individual becomes liable. Rare but it happens.

20 years ago I had an accident management firm chase me because of costs that they couldn't recoup from the insurer. I told them I'll only talk to them (and potentially help them recoup the cost from the insurer) if they sent me a latter that says that under no circumstances will I be liable for their losses. Never heard from them again....

The lesson I've learnt from this incident, is that in the event of a non-fault accident, I always deal directly with the other-party's insurer, with no 'middleman'. That worked fine for me so far, however I can understand why this might not be a suitable solution for everyone.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

At 12k to repair I would have thought the insurance company would have written it off.

Had the claim been through the OP’s own insurer then it might well have been. With it being through the other party’s insurer then it’s not so straightforward. If £12k is for parts and labour only, then with hire cars fees and commission/fees then wouldn’t be surprised if the bill ends up being close to the trade value of the car.

 

[Trickythemerc]

I had a similar case when I had a no fault claim. Be very careful with third party accident management, it can get very messy when the disputes start over hire charges Etc.

 

[Dippo]

I appreciate that you want to know what is going on, but the only place to get accurate information about the status of the parts on order is from the dealer carrying out the repair. The speculation of people on an online forum you found is probably only going to cause more concern. The only people who have access to the computer showing the status of the order are the dealer and Mercedes. Things that happened 20 years ago are of little (I really mean NO) relevance.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The lesson I've learnt from this incident, is that in the event of a non-fault accident, I always deal directly with the other-party's insurer, with no 'middleman'. That worked fine for me so far, however I can understand why this might not be a suitable solution for everyone.

I believe that insurers appreciate it when you do that. I once spoke to someone at Directline who deals with accident management companies when Directline is the third-party insurer and it’s fair to say that they rightly didn’t like the tactics accident management companies employ.

They also take a dim view when the insured party talks up the need for a particular hire car for no reason other than because they can, they want to milk the situation, or they are just plan right up themselves, and I’m inclined to agree. Unless there’s a case of need, unnecessarily increasing cost isn’t cool.

The insured party often thinks that the insurance companies can afford and it’s what we pay premiums for, but of course the insurance company just pass on increasing costs in the form of increased premiums so it’s all of us who pay, not the insurance company.

That person suggested that when they see accident management firms supplying “upgraded” cars then they look closely, and when they see that the customer has requested it - usually highlighted by a changed of car - then they tend to see it as a step too far and might argue that it’s not justified.

Hence my comment that not asking for a trim line equivalent to AMG Executive line would be a good move. If I remember right there’s something in the terms & conditions of our policies which require us to minimise the insurer’s liability which as a general principle is the right one IMHO.

I’m a little extreme in this regard. I had a car stolen and the insurance company delivered a hire car. It was an Audi A6 Avant 3.0 [313] BiTDi Quattro Sport Line Black Edition and the hire car was a FIAT 500. I took it back as it was cost the insurer didn’t need to bear - I could make do with my wife’s car.

I had told the insurer this when I made the claim but they sent it anyway. When the hire car company saw me bring the car back they assumed I was talking it back because I wanted something posher - they said that’s what most people they supply cars to on behalf insurance companies do!

 

[Diana1990]

I think going through my own insurance or direct with the 3rd party the repair would have been much much cheaper. Even my own insurance wanted me to use Auxillis as its straight forward no fault claim. The person that hit me, the car is company owned by BT. So chances are low that they will fight anything, they have millions stored away for this kinda thing. Mercedes said they had set limit where Auxillis would determine the car a write off. But apparently it was nowhere near, so god knows what that amount was/is. I was quite calm in this a until Thurs morning when the dealer said:

One of the bumpers is a Germany order with no delivery date at present.

By Friday morning I had them calling me saying it was shipped and the part was on back order for less then 24hrs because everything was ordered on Wed 23rd. Had anyone has insurance claims, how long did it take for you

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

By Friday morning I had them calling me saying it was shipped and the part was on back order for less then 24hrs because everything was ordered on Wed 23rd. Had anyone has insurance claims, how long did it take for you

It’s mostly invisibly to most people, and the variation will be between no delay and many months. Honestly, what you have described regarding the parts supply is completely normal.