Service plan / individual servicing?

[diselsam]

Hi
I've been quoted what it would cost me to service my car (C class estate from 2014) over the next 2 years:

Individual services:
Based on 15,500 miles – whichever occurs first:

Service 1 – 2023 – A Service, air filter and spark plugs = £549.16

Service 2 – 2024 – B Service, brake fluid and automatic transmission oil and filter = £1151.62 - based on today’s costs

Estimated total for 2 services without a service plan = £1700.78 – Based on today’s costs

Service plan:
There are two options to cover the costs for one of our service plans: Either £49 per month for 24 months or the full amount upfront.

2 over 24 months = £1176

The following benefits are included within our plans.
15% labour discount
Half price MOT – currently £54.85
Free puncture repair where applicable
Free loan car – normally charged @ £30

Obviously the service plan is better VFM. I am in Devon and had bad experience with independent Mercedes garages around here. So prefer to stick to the main dealer.

What would be your advise?

Cheers

 

[markjay]

The MB Service Care Plan is a very cost-effective way to have full dealer service history.

I had 5 services done under 3 consecutive plans.

That been said... a good independent is also a very good alternative.

 

[KennyN]

Depends on how much longer you intend to keep the vehicle , after 2024.

If it is a keeper then buy the engine oil / plugs / trans fluid / air filter / brake fluid and DIY , if you can. That way you know it is done correctly rather than trusting the MD , plus you will save some ££.

If you plan on moving it on and you feel that a FMBSH will make that much difference on the resale value of a 11 year old car then go for the monthly payment option.

K

 

[diselsam]

The car is about 25,000 miles and I drive about 7k miles per year. I do not keep cars longer than 2 years, so it will be gone in 2025. I am not after a full dealer service history but quality of work. I am very happy with my local Dealer and had some rather nasty experiences with local independents on one of my previous cars. Out of curiosity, is the pricing of the individual services they quoted realistic?

 

[markjay]

...Out of curiosity, is the pricing of the individual services they quoted realistic?

For a main dealer, yes.

 

[markjay]

However.... you will only get all those service items done during the service for the flat Service Care Plan fee, IF the car has full service history so far.

It does not have to be dealer service history, the services can also have been done by an independent specialist, as long as the services were entered into the MB Digital Service Book (DSB).

If any service items have not been replaced when due in the past (or, rather, there's no record of it on the MB DSB), then the dealer will charge you for this on top of the Service Care Plan fee.

 

[diselsam]

Mark, what difference in price do you think it would be if I chose to service it an independent instead for this two services I listed above? There is Star Mercedes in Reading, where this car has been serviced previously. It is about 130 miles from me, and I am trying to make a decision. I am simply uncomfortable to entrust my car lightly based on experiences.

 

[markjay]

Mark, what difference in price do you think it would be if I chose to service it an independent instead for this two services I listed above? There is Star Mercedes in Reading, where this car has been serviced previously. It is about 130 miles from me, and I am trying to make a decision. I am simply uncomfortable to entrust my car lightly based on experiences.

As a rule of thumb, an independent will charge between 50% and 60% of what the dealer would charge based on individual services.

Where in the UK are you based?

 

[diselsam]

Devon, near Exeter

 

[ToeKnee]

As a rule of thumb, an independent will charge between 50% and 60% of what the dealer would charge based on individual services.

Not in my experience! I'm due a basic, nothing else required, A service next month, Mercedes price £240 including mobilo, indy 1 wants £210 and indy 2 wants £190 both without any breakdown cover.

 

[Sparkee]

Just took out a 4 year service plan on a c220. The first service due under the plan is in 2 months, the cost was prorated into the plan. So 48 installments cost into 38 installments if I went the dd route.

 

[diselsam]

Well, I did some costing using service costs from an independent for the works quoted by my dealer:

Breakdown cover (eg Green Flag, for 2 years with a level I need)	150​
Service B	295​
Service A	175​
Transmission fluid	275​
Brake fluid	60​
Air filter	56​
MOT	110​
Spark plugs	160​
Total	1,281.00

I am going with my dealer.

 

[W1ghty]

Well, I did some costing using service costs from an independent for the works quoted by my dealer:

Breakdown cover (eg Green Flag, for 2 years with a level I need)	150​
Service B	295​
Service A	175​
Transmission fluid	275​
Brake fluid	60​
Air filter	56​
MOT	110​
Spark plugs	160​
Total	1,281.00

I am going with my dealer.

Star in Reading is very well respected as an independent specialist, as is Steve at Avantgarde Mercedes , Clevedon near Bristol .
But I see you have decided so make a note for the future ??

 

[Skd884]

Not in my experience! I'm due a basic, nothing else required, A service next month, Mercedes price £240 including mobilo, indy 1 wants £210 and indy 2 wants £190 both without any breakdown cover.

As i have said on more than one occasion indies can be more expensive than main dealers - dyor.

 

[W1ghty]

You can save £55 by going to the local garage for an MOT ….£110 is

 

[KennyN]

You can save £55 by going to the local garage for an MOT ….£110 is

All our MOT`s (4) are done by Halfords and have cost around £35 on average if you are a member of their "motoring club"

FWIW before the haters of fast fit centres start , we have never had a bit of bother with them and anything the cars have had an advisory or fail have been genuine.

K

 

[Skd884]

Not in my experience! I'm due a basic, nothing else required, A service next month, Mercedes price £240 including mobilo, indy 1 wants £210 and indy 2 wants £190 both without any breakdown cover.

You should also receive a underbody video inspection report which indies do not provide

I am not knocking indies but the perceived value savings are not always present.

 

[DavE400]

Until recently a MB Service Plan has been the preference since my first MB purchase. However, the devil is in the detail particularly when you change the car part way through a 4 year service plan as I have found out. Having paid £2016 for a 4 year plan in early 2022 and had two services out of four I had expected a refund of £800 to £900 but was only offered £260 as a refund. If you end the service plan early you get charged the full price of each service and any discounts are ignored. Seems illogical that MB would have done another 2 services on my E53 for a total of £264 but unfortnatley there was no offer of an increased refund when their logic was challenged.

Lesson learned is maybe best to take a service plan twice over 2 years rather than once over 4 years!!

Also OP I hope you get better service from MB Exeter than I am experiencing at the moment if your going to be using them for anything

 

[diselsam]

Hi
The £110 for MOT is for 2 years. I put together a list with all service costs for 2 years of ownership. My local MOT center charges £55. The service plan halves this.
Yes, I've been using the Dealer in Exeter for many years now and I never had a problem with them.
Actually I need to make sure there are no items that should have been done previously but have not been done. as this will be going on top of the service plan as advised by Mark, thank you!
Cheers

 

[Dryce]

I am not knocking indies but the perceived value savings are not always present.

I think if you have a good relationship with an indy or dealer that you trust then that is one of the most important parts of the real value of these sums.