Servicing

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Can I ask someone explain servicing to me... I'm picking up my c250 tomorrow with a 59 plate with 40k on the clock.

It was due a service and I doubled checked with the dealer which one is due.. He told me they pay for the big one which is due B? And the next due will be the small one A?

However.. He has today after many requests emailed me the service record ...

2010 was A 10k
2011 was B 20k
2012 was A on 26k then another A on 29k late on

Now before my pickup on 40k they have just done another A..

This all confuses the hell out of me and I think they are doing the opposite if what they sold me before I paid the deposit and doing the cheap one themselves, leaving me a big bill in 12 mths.


Any help? Also what would you think the A B cost would be?

 

[Rory]

2012 was A on 26k then another A on 29k late on

Hmmm....are you fairly sure the mileage is genuine?

Services should alternate A & B but in practice there's not a lot of difference in them - they both basically oil and filter changes and some checks.

More important is to know whether the addditional work items have been done, especially the ATF if it's an auto, fuel filter if a diesel, spark plugs if it's petrol and air filter on both. Brake fluid and pollen filter should have been changed every 2yrs.

By putting different dates and mileages into this Mercedes-Benz ESS you can get an idea of what should be done.

You can get an idea of pricing here: https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/home but always worth ring the dealer and negotiating. Or just buy ServiceCare. Or use an indie once out of Approved Used warranty.

 

[markjay]

As above.

It should have had:

2010 - A Service
2011 - B Service
2012 - A Service
2013 - B Service
2014 - A Service

So carrying-out an A Service before selling you the car is correct however it ignores the fact that a B Service has been missed previously...

Also, this years the car should have had the spark plugs replaced, the air filter and fuel filters replaced, and the ATF changed (if auto). These are all considered 'additional items' and are not included in the basic Service A/B regime. The A/B regime involves only engine oil and filter change, everything else is 'additional items'. The only exception is that I believe that on the C-Class, the pollen/cabin filter change is part of the B-Service, which in your case would mean it was last done 3 years ago so now overdue.

And as said above, break fluid should have been replaced in 2011 and 2013, again as apart of 'additional items', in which case the next replacement for your car is due next year.

 

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It's from a mb dealer so mileage should be ok...
I think the two A in 6 mths was the last change of owner

Looking at the email there is no mention of additional work

 

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Air filter, fuel filter, engine oil and brake fluid were changed In Today service.

No mention of plugs or ATF on any services.

 

[Rory]

I'd be looking for conclusive proof (invoice copies, ideally) that the additional work has been done, and also (less important, in my opinion) why it wasn't serviced in 2013.

If they can't provide proof then the dealer should do everything which would have been required to date. Maybe get them to provide a couple of year's ServiceCare FOC.

 

[markjay]

Air filter, fuel filter, engine oil and brake fluid were changed In Today service.

These are all 'additional items'.

No mention of plugs or ATF on any services.

ATF change is a tricky one, there was a period that it has been omitted from the additional items list giving MB dealer a great excuse not to replace it on those cars affected, the only way to know is by checking on ESS as per Rory's post.

Spark Plugs should be changed at 4 years, but again check on ESS.

I believe that the dealer will not be able to make any excuses for items showing on ESS and needing doing for your car's age and mileage - my understanding is that 'Approved Used' cars must be propelry serviced or they get auctioned-off through other channels.

 

[Rory]

ATF change is a tricky one, there was a period that it has been omitted form the additional items list giving MB dealer a great excuse not to replace it on those cars affected, the only way to know is by checking on ESS as per Rory's post.

Yes, be cautious on this before having a mssive bust-up with the dealer!

The requirement to do a one-off change at around 3-4 yrs or around 30-40K miles has come and gone and come back again depending on the model and gearbox fitted.

 

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Main Service
Service A
For every service (Equipment specific)
Maintenance scopes for driving aids ex factory
Service 3 - at every service
Engine: change oil and filter
Service 4 - Every 2 years
Replace brake fluid
Service 20 - Once 31,000 miles/3 years
Automatic transmission: Carry out oil and filter change (with transmission 722.9 - NAG2)
Service 8 - Every 46,500 miles/4 years
Replace air filter element
Service 11 - Every 46,500 miles/4 years
Replace fuel filter

 

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So the transmission should be done on 3yrs...

 

[markjay]

Is it a C250 CDI? This would explain why the spark plugs are not mentioned on ESS....

 

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Is it a C250 CDI? This would explain why the spark plugs are not mentioned on ESS....

forgot to mention its diesel!!

 

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It appears a B was done in 2013, but the web based record was not filled in and the transmission I have does not need oil changes

 

[Rory]

I wouldn't be worried about whether the service was A or B - as mentioned earlier, they're pretty well the same anyway and the important additional items were just done (apart from the ATF).

I assume the gearbox is 7 speed - how did the dealer explain away the ATF chnage requirement in the ESS?

 

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5 speed I think.. Well 5 speed in manual mode