Rust

[hbhudia]

I have just had paintwork authorised by Mercedes Hampstead for rust under the sills on the rear doors. However they did not approve the rust behind the rear number plate even though it was bubbled. They say they not warrant that as there may have been a chrome frame around it in the past!

Will be getting this done in January.

 

[Shude]

Excellent news I suppose, but:

They say they not warrant that as there may have been a chrome frame around it in the past!

Classy! "There may have been a chrome frame"? Do they actually have any evidence of this?

 

[glojo]

I have just had paintwork authorised by Mercedes Hampstead for rust under the sills on the rear doors. However they did not approve the rust behind the rear number plate even though it was bubbled. They say they not warrant that as there may have been a chrome frame around it in the past!

Will be getting this done in January.

I am most surprised at their silly comment. If the corrosion is from the inside coming out then surely it complies with the stipulations laid down in the warranty.

It MAY have been caused by a laser gun fight between Captain Kirk and the Klingons, it MAY have been caused by faulty paint procedures when the vehicle was assembled. It is though DEFINITELY corrision which should DEFINITELY not be there.

I am surprised you accepted the decision, do you think there are any reasons why the dealer made that statement?

Good luck,
John

 

[hbhudia]

I did try to tell him that I have never had anything of the sort and as you can see from the paintwork there is no indication of something being there, so he turns around and says something even more ridiculous 'the previous owner might have had one'. What do you say to that???

 

[Will]

I did try to tell him that I have never had anything of the sort and as you can see from the paintwork there is no indication of something being there, so he turns around and says something even more ridiculous 'the previous owner might have had one'. What do you say to that???

I'd ask them to prove it. After all, it is up to them to prove that your vehicle does not comply with their terms and conditions, not the other way around!

I am sure that this area of the vehicle is a typical rust area anyway. Don't let them get away with it.

Good Luck,

Will

 

[glojo]

What do you say to that???

Morning hbhudia,
I would say, "Fix it"

I am however polite, so I would perhaps say, "I understand what you are saying, but with the greatest of respect I want it repaired please."

Regards,
John

 

[Shude]

What do you say to that?

Call the previous owner (details on the V5) and find out! Or you could just say that you spoke to the previous owner and he said that it didn't have one fitted. They're unlikely to check this.

 

[hbhudia]

I was going to try again.
Do you think I might get away with it if I mention it when I take the car in for the work, or would it have to go through authorisation again?

 

[Shude]

...would it have to go through authorisation again?

They probably only authorised work on certain areas.

 

[Will]

Get it sorted before it goes in. After all, the technicians working on your car will not be able to 'authorise' any of the work that you ask.

Make it quite clear that you find their response 'unacceptable', and if they wish to make allegations of fitting aftermarket trim pieces that are non-existant, then you would like some evidence to back this up. This is a known trouble spot for rust - there can't be that many W202s with chrome frames around (although this is not the cause of the rust - bad production quality is the issue!)

As Shude has said, if they are going to be a childish about it, tell them that you can obtain a letter from the previous owner to re-assure them that they have not fitted an aftermarket boot trim!

Good luck, and stand your ground!

Cheers,

Will