ServicePlus dilemma

[Rory]

So my C270CDi is approaching 3 years old (in 4mths) but I've done a lot less miles in her than I expected - just under 30K at the moment.
Since I bought it at 6000 miles, it's only ever been to the dealers once, to have an A service. It's calling for a B service in 5000miles.

I just got a ServicePlus quote, for 1 year, 12K miles, of £57.44/mth. Not bad, I thought, then the person I was speaking to said "+VAT" , so suddenly it's £10/mth more.

I really only use the car for a couple of long motorway runs per month. The brakes were 10% worn at the A service, although I am a bit concerned (from an MOT point of view) about the rust pitting of the disk, due to lack of use.

It strikes me that if I take out Service+, all I'm likely to get out of it is a B service and an MOT. So maybe £500 or so worth of work, against which Service+ will cost £810.

Anybody have any thoughts to impart?

 

[Gollom]

Think you have answered it yourself Rory. And to add weight, I'm pretty sure you will get 10% off at the dealers for a car that is 3 years old (plus free MOT if done at the same time)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The one regular service I thought of that's not mentioned in your post is a brake fluid change (if you didn't have it done at the last service).

ServicePlus - just like an insurance policy - is one of those things that if you never use it you could consider it money wasted, but if you do use it then it's worth it's weight in gold!! If you have just one un-scheduled visit to the dealer it will probably have been worthwhile. For example anti-roll bar bushes might need to be replaced - a common problem on the W203 C-Class.

The difference between what you pay and the cost of the servicing is pretty much for peace-of-mind, for these un-scheduled visits. The £2-300-ish difference is much cheaper than a Tier 1 warranty.

If you really think it's too expensive, and aren't interested in the Plus bit - just ask for a Service Only quote which will simply cover scheduled servicing.

 

[ollya]

service plus doesn't cover friction materials for first 3 months or 3000miles (or poss KM??). Whichever is sooner.
Is the car still under warranty and if so for how long?
Remeber if it's out of warranty then you have to have it inspected and some dealers may charge you an hour's labour plus cost of repairs of course before you can join the scheme.

Anyway. If you're out of warranty then I'd wait till about 3500K before next service although without knowing how the quote would vary there's a risk it may increase a lot. The diff between service plus and actual service cost is a very fair price to pay for what is effectively complete insurance against anything going wrong.

If you're within warranty then roll straight onto service plus.

 

[Rory]

The one regular service I thought of that's not mentioned in your post is a brake fluid change (if you didn't have it done at the last service).

It will need BF change - I was including that in the "£500 or so" B Service cost.

If you really think it's too expensive, and aren't interested in the Plus bit - just ask for a Service Only quote which will simply cover scheduled servicing.

I guess it's the Plus bit that's the big unknown - as you say, a fairly trivial occurrence could make it worthwhile.

I'm also trying to reconcile to myself by hoping in a way that it might be wasted money - a bit like you do with car insurance, no-one *wants* to claim!

 

[Rory]

service plus doesn't cover friction materials for first 3 months or 3000miles (or poss KM??). Whichever is sooner.

Thanks, I knew that - the car has 5000 miles to go to service and the brakes are hardly worn.

Is the car still under warranty and if so for how long?

Still in warranty until early October, so I was thinking of taking our ServicePlus in late June to give me the 3 months clear of the MOT date in case they want to change the disks as they're quite pitted with rust (but I would guess are probably OK).

 

[glojo]

It's all to do with money and a touch of hindsight. If you can afford Service Plus then go for it, what price do we put on peace of mind? If money is short then take the gamble.

What surprises me is when the service manager says how they may not have heard about Service Plus, but when they find out what it comprises of, even they seem impressed.

I have three years of worry free motoring but it will cost 'X' amount of money per month with no surprises. I am one of those blokes that hate the 'if only' situations. If only I had listened to Mr X when they said don't do it.

Good luck with the decision
John

 

[DieselE]

Rory. You haven't said how long you're planning to keep the car. With the car being less than three years old, you could have upto 3 years Service Plus cover.

As John says, the big plus for Service Plus is you know that apart from tyres and glass the car will only cost X pounds per month.

Not entirely relevant to this thread but I did find out last week that if you take out Service Plus from new then tyres can be included.

 

[Rory]

Rory. You haven't said how long you're planning to keep the car. With the car being less than three years old, you could have upto 3 years Service Plus cover.

I don't know really - I keep thinking about buying an E Class, but I use the car so little that would seem ridiculous.

I did ask about transferring it to a new owner - OK, apparently. It can also be cancelled, although there was a bit on uncertainty about how easily. The lady I spoke to suggested they might be reluctant if the car had just had a big bill. I'm sure there must be more formal rules than that.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else, is that they check (how?) the mileage at the end of the contact and if you go over then there's a penalty - on the 12K mile quote I got is was 3.57p per *KM*! Quoting in KM's is a bit off - makes the cost seem *40%* lower than it really is. Wonder why they don't also quote the contract price in Guineas!

Not entirely relevant to this thread but I did find out last week that if you take out Service Plus from new then tyres can be included.

I'm not sure I'd go for that anyway - I'm very light on tyres. Generally with these schemes they dictate the tyre they're going to fit, and I had many battles over that when I had leased company cars.
My daughter has Seat Ibiza with a service & maint package which includes tyres (for £20/mth ) and VAG won't fit the same tyres (Dunlops) as it came with.

 

[DieselE]

I don't know really - I keep thinking about buying an E Class, but I use the car so little that would seem ridiculous.

As an E Class owner I obviously think that would be an excellent choice.

I did ask about transferring it to a new owner - OK, apparently. It can also be cancelled, although there was a bit on uncertainty about how easily. The lady I spoke to suggested they might be reluctant if the car had just had a big bill. I'm sure there must be more formal rules than that.

The maximum liability for early termination is three months payment.

As far as mileage checks are concerned, I think they project forward from the mileage at the last service or repair. Certainly in my case, the car was last in for service in December and at the June renewal date MB confirmed that as the mileage was within the declared range the payments would remain the same for the next twelve months.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Still in warranty until early October, so I was thinking of taking our ServicePlus in late June to give me the 3 months clear of the MOT date in case they want to change the disks as they're quite pitted with rust (but I would guess are probably OK).

It's very unlikely to fail an MOT due to pitting, however it's the sort of thing a dealer may use as a prompt for a replacement in ordinary circumstances.

Exiting the contract is quite vague. If I remember right, there is a control in place to stop someone claiming a big bill and then cancelling, something like 3 months penalty or notice. Even so, if it's a very big bill there still might be an incentive there for someone to make a big claim and get rid of the car, without paying much! I'll see what I can dig out on that.

Every conversation I've had with the DCUK department, my dealer, and other members point towards it being fairl belt and braces.

In some sitiuations the vague nature of the description of what's covered works in the customers favour, ie if something breaks then it's pretty much covered as long as a claim is not the result of deliberate or accidental damage. Tyres excluded in all cases (unless specified at time quote is taken out).

 

[crockers]

So for £750 you get one service + one MOT + a years mobilio + any repairs ....seems good value to me

Service £ 400
MOT £ 45
Yr eur breakdown £120
Brake Fluid £ 80

Total £645


cost therefore for security peace of mind £105

hmmm have I got this right? Seems too good to be true..

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

So for £750 you get one service + one MOT + a years mobilio + any repairs ....seems good value to me

Service £ 400
MOT £ 45
Yr eur breakdown £120
Brake Fluid £ 80

Total £645


cost therefore for security peace of mind £105

hmmm have I got this right? Seems too good to be true..

Pretty much. And if brakes a required, then you're quids in!!!

Case by case, some are no brainers in both directions. The peace-of-mind premium on our ML for example is higher than in the example above however, it's still cheaper than taking out Tier 1 which I would have anyway, in which case it still presents good value.

One scenario in which ServicePlus doesn't ever make sense is a car two years old or younger, as the OEM warranty covers pretty much everything the Plus in ServicePlus offers. In that scenario it's best to go Service Only until third anniversary and then switch to ServicePlus.

 

[DieselE]

One scenario in which ServicePlus doesn't ever make sense is a car two years old or younger, as the OEM warranty covers pretty much everything the Plus in ServicePlus offers. In that scenario it's best to go Service Only until third anniversary and then switch to ServicePlus.

I took out Service Plus when my car was eighteen months old. At the moment, you could be right as the only work done has been a B service. On the other hand, before the car is three years old there will be a brake fluid change and possibly new disks on the rear end in addition to a further service.

Mid way through December I should be able to tell you whether you're right or wrong.

 

[hawk20]

Important: - in the T's and C's it is clear you can only have twelve month contracts -say 1, 2 or 3 years and so on depending on age. It follows that if you tke the contract out to start on any day other than the anniversary of first registration, you will lose a whole potential year of Service Plus you could have had.

So rule 1 is set it up before the guarantee expires to begin on the anniversary of first registration. I would take out three years. Prices are fixed and never rise. You can sell the car with it and the new owner can continue at your price. Or, if you decide to keep the car you may well be glad you can keep it going.

Rule 2: - minimum mileage they will accept is 10,000 miles p.a. If you really aren't going to do that, and don't fancy a day trip or two to France, or trips to Yorkshire or Hampshire or wherever, it could be false economy.

But if you think you will do the mileage, then it takes very little to go wrong for service Plus to be the best peace of mind you can buy.

Almost like another three years manufacturers guarantee PLUS a service contract.

 

[crockers]

My car is 3 years old Dec 2008 - I intend to get quotes (have diaried) August 2008...until then I will pay for the servicing as and when....As I intend to keep the car for 5 or so years - should be a good move - depending on quote at the time

 

[Rory]

So for £750 you get one service + one MOT + a years mobilio + any repairs ....seems good value to me

Service £ 400
MOT £ 45
Yr eur breakdown £120
Brake Fluid £ 80

Total £645


cost therefore for security peace of mind £105

hmmm have I got this right? Seems too good to be true..

Welllll... the Mobilo would be effectively free anyway, if the car was dealer serviced.

 

[Rory]

Important: - in the T's and C's it is clear you can only have twelve month contracts -say 1, 2 or 3 years and so on depending on age. It follows that if you tke the contract out to start on any day other than the anniversary of first registration, you will lose a whole potential year of Service Plus you could have had.

So rule 1 is set it up before the guarantee expires to begin on the anniversary of first registration. I would take out three years. Prices are fixed and never rise. You can sell the car with it and the new owner can continue at your price. Or, if you decide to keep the car you may well be glad you can keep it going.

Thanks - I was aware of that, but my thinking was to take it out at 2yrs 9 months to give me the 3 months needed just in case the MOT requires that the disks be changed.

I appreciate Bobby Dazzlers input that it's unlikely to be an MOT fail - I thought that too, but you never know, and I've had a car (not a Merc) fail before (years ago, before they tightened up MOT's) on rusty disks and it was a bit of a shock.

Maybe I'll leave it until its 3rd birthday - I'm still 5000 miles (so likely 5 mths) from the B service. Although by the time it's 3, I would be too close mileage wise to the B service to be able to have the pad & disks replaced under ServicePlus. A further dilemma!

 

[hawk20]

Why oh why don't they simplify it and make it that you must take out at least 12 months cover but can do so when you like and can have it up to the 6th anniversary or 120k miles whichever is the sooner.

 

[Rory]

Maybe I'll leave it until its 3rd birthday - I'm still 5000 miles (so likely 5 mths) from the B service. Although by the time it's 3, I would be too close mileage wise to the B service to be able to have the pad & disks replaced under ServicePlus. A further dilemma!

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I was just relooking at this today, as I'm approaching the 3 month point from the end of the warranty (and also needing MOT).
I hadn't realised until today that it's not just brakes that aren't covered for the first 3000 miles / 3 months, but also servicing.

Born in Oct 04, my car's only ever had one service (that's also the only time it's ever been to the dealer), in Feb 06 at 18500 miles. It's now done 30,000 and is showing 5000 to service. I'm a little concerned that ASSYST might suddenly flip to days and catch me out within the 3 months!

I got a 3 yr quote, based on 12K miles, and that's £79.03/mth (inc VAT). Would have been nicer if it had been the same as the 1 yr quote (£67.49)!

I don't know - if I go for the 3yr deal it's £950/yr - having spent just £250 in 3 yrs then that seems ridiculous.