Poor servicing

[Silverbluemachine]

I've just bought a 63 plate C220 cdi estate (87,900 miles) quoted by the vendor to have a full service history inc 'just serviced by ourselves'. So the car is 10 yrs old and looking at the paperwork has been serviced every 2 yrs by a German car specialist garage and a Volvo specialist garage by the previous owner since 2015 at 12,175 miles. (not sure if serviced between new and 2015 with 1st owner)

Looking through the details of the service reports and parts used I can only see Oil, oil filter and pollen filters, sump plug washers/consumables listed.

Also brake discs and pads/ tyres as required.

So no air or fuel filter change in 10 years and 87,900 miles? Is this commonplace or poor service work? Both are surely due?

Removed top engine cover today and there's no way the oil filter cap has been off recently judging by the dust on it. Starting to lose confidence in dealers/service garages.

Been out and bought air, fuel and oil filter and 7 lts of mobil 1. Will do myself for peace of mind.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've just bought a 63 plate C220 cdi estate (87,900 miles) quoted by the vendor to have a full service history inc 'just serviced by ourselves'. So the car is 10 yrs old and looking at the paperwork has been serviced every 2 yrs by a German car specialist garage and a Volvo specialist garage by the previous owner since 2015 at 12,175 miles. (not sure if serviced between new and 2015 with 1st owner)

Looking through the details of the service reports and parts used I can only see Oil, oil filter and pollen filters, sump plug washers/consumables listed.

Also brake discs and pads/ tyres as required.

So no air or fuel filter change in 10 years and 87,900 miles? Is this commonplace or poor service work? Both are surely due?

Removed top engine cover today and there's no way the oil filter cap has been off recently judging by the dust on it. Starting to lose confidence in dealers/service garages.

Been out and bought air, fuel and oil filter and 7 lts of mobil 1. Will do myself for peace of mind.

Unfortunately some people do5 both with servicing or assuming the MoT is a service. Too many people skip services altogether. Others just want it downs as cheaply as possible and don’t know or care whether the stuff that bumps up the price at expensive garages are done or not at less expensive garages. Finally every car is described as full service history even if there’s only evidence of occasional servicing.

Things like air filters, spark plugs and transmission fluid changes are due every few years (eg four years) and so a garage following the schedule might not replace it in year 6 as they will have assumed it was done in year 4. Other garages will just do what the customer asked for, eg “cheapest” and won't change it either.

If the history is unclear, and you care about these things, then it’s probably best to do as you are replace all of the serviceable items which should have been done by the age your car is now.

 

[Smiley]

All (well ok 90%) used cars with a service history will be described as having a full service history; ie it is a full history for that car. Most used cars over 5 years old will not have a full service history as defined by the manufacturer - it is up to the buyer to figure that out - better before buying the car. You would have been waiting a while to find a 10yr old car with a really complete full history - most people don't know /care/don't want to spend the money.
The good news for you is that the really important thing to do is change the oil and filter - the rest of it will make the car run better but won't be terminal. I would bet that the brake fluid has not been changed and that would be worth doing asap.

 

[BigJase88]

Oil changes are the most important thing. Just make sure you change the air filter now as matter of course.
Think you will need 7.5L which is a crazy amount of oil for a 2.1l engine

 

[markjay]

Since most new cars get serviced by the dealer for the first few years (until the new car warranty expires), you can trace the early service history by walking into any MB dealership with the V5C and a photo ID, and asking for a printout of the service history (aka DSB - Digital Service Book). I believe that you can also request this by email from MB Customer Services by emailing them scans of these documents.

 

[markjay]

This is the service schedule for your car (assuming typical annual mileage):

2014 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)

2015 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change

2016 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2017 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change

2018 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
ATF and filter change (if automatic)

2019 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2020 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)

2021 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change

2022 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2023 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
ATF and filter change (if automatic)

2024 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change

2025 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

 

[davymead]

Excellent advice above.
Any reputable garage would inform you of exactly what is needed and what will be covered by their particular servicing regime. In my own Indie experience a strict schedule of work is followed, be it an A or B service, normally reciprocating yearly between the two. Reputation IMHO is the way forward.

 

[W1ghty]

Gearbox service needs checking to see if it’s been done

 

[Silverbluemachine]

This is the service schedule for your car (assuming typical annual mileage):

2014 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)

2015 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change

2016 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2017 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change

2018 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
ATF and filter change (if automatic)

2019 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2020 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)

2021 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change

2022 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change)
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

2023 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
ATF and filter change (if automatic)

2024 - Service A (Engine oil and filter change

2025 - Service B (Engine oil and filter change, cabin filter change)
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change
Pano roof lubrication (if fitted)

This is great, thanks.
I am a retired engineer so happy to do jobs although I don't do brake fluid changes or auto transmission servicing and will get these done in the next few months after these filter and engine oil changes.

 

[markjay]

This is great, thanks.
I am a retired engineer so happy to do jobs although I don't do brake fluid changes or auto transmission servicing and will get these done in the next few months after these filter and engine oil changes.

That's a very sensible approach.

Make sure you use oil that meets MB Spec Sheet MB229.52 (the older MB229.51 is also OK). MB sell their own-branded oil for very reasonable prices, BTW.

Essentially, once you've done the engine oil and filter, there are only three filters to change - cabin, air, and fuel. Make sure you use either Genuine MB parts or good quality OEM parts - Mann, Knecht, Mahle, Bosch, etc.

Then the brake fluid and ATF can be done later in the year.

 

[Silverbluemachine]

That's a very sensible approach.

Make sure you use oil that meets MB Spec Sheet MB229.52 (the older MB229.51 is also OK). MB sell their own-branded oil for very reasonable prices, BTW.

Essentially, once you've done the engine oil and filter, there are only three filters to change - cabin, air, and fuel. Make sure you use either Genuine MB parts or good quality OEM parts - Mann, Knecht, Mahle, Bosch, etc.

Then the brake fluid and ATF can be done later in the year.

Air filter was in a state with dust, bird feathers and leaves in housing. all vacuumed out and new filter fitted. New fuel filter primed with fresh diesel and fitted. Found excellent You tube vids for both especially for the fuel hose clip release using small water-pump plier and small screwdriver. All good following a 10 mile test drive, will do oil and filter tomorrow using MB 229.52 spec. Will get a cabin filter and serpentine belt as that probably needs changing too.
There are 2 types of belt, electric power steering and non electric p.s. How do I tell which I need?

 

[davymead]

Air filter was in a state with dust, bird feathers and leaves in housing. all vacuumed out and new filter fitted. New fuel filter primed with fresh diesel and fitted. Found excellent You tube vids for both especially for the fuel hose clip release using small water-pump plier and small screwdriver. All good following a 10 mile test drive, will do oil and filter tomorrow using MB 229.52 spec. Will get a cabin filter and serpentine belt as that probably needs changing too.
There are 2 types of belt, electric power steering and non electric p.s. How do I tell which I need?

Oil flush is always a good idea, particularly if the old oil is nasty.

 

[markjay]

Air filter was in a state with dust, bird feathers and leaves in housing. all vacuumed out and new filter fitted. New fuel filter primed with fresh diesel and fitted. Found excellent You tube vids for both especially for the fuel hose clip release using small water-pump plier and small screwdriver. All good following a 10 mile test drive, will do oil and filter tomorrow using MB 229.52 spec. Will get a cabin filter and serpentine belt as that probably needs changing too.
There are 2 types of belt, electric power steering and non electric p.s. How do I tell which I need?

As far as I know only the 1.6L petrol engine (C180) had the electric power steering, while the Diesel cars had the traditional hydraulic PS.

 

[Gazwould]

Think you will need 7.5L which is a crazy amount of oil for a 2.1l engine

It's 6.5L , high oil capacity is a good thing as the oil stays in better condition.

Some 1.8 / 1.9 engines of different makes with 3.5 - 4.0 L oil capacity got into trouble with sludging issues .

 

[Silverbluemachine]

As far as I know only the 1.6L petrol engine (C180) had the electric power steering, while the Diesel cars had the traditional hydraulic PS.

Stupid question, I can see the belt driven power steering pump, not exactly hidden!!

 

[markjay]

Stupid question, I can see the belt driven power steering pump, not exactly hidden!!

And PAS hydraulic fluid reservoir with a filler cap....

 

[Silverbluemachine]

Oil changed, Oil, Air, Fuel and Cabin filter replaced. Also serpentine belt, no play in any idlers or water pump so all good for now. Will book brake fluid change next week. Auto service before next winter with a good Indie I know. Quite sure the car is running smoother and quieter, but I would wouldn't I !! Good for piece of mind. Thanks for all the input guys. Great forum.

 

[Fastcar155]

When we had my Mercedes the car always had its annual service carried out by my local Mercedes dealer.
Apart from replacing 2 NO 2 sensors the car ran perfectly.I found the dealer straight forward and easy to deal with and I requested the car was not very cleaned outside or vacuumed inside.At present I run a Skoda Superb as I need a car in a hurry to replace my written off car.I would not get rid of my Skoda but I am looking out for another Mercedes two seater this time !

I really fancy an SL350 but as with most sports cars the vehicle has had numerous owners and sometimes little service history. I have seen a couple of examples that had seen better days and owner wanted sky high prices.