The End For DIY Repair & Servicing 2020 + Cars ?

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Joined
Jan 23, 2021
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UK
Car
E220d Estate S213 2017
Apologies in advance if this has been discussed elsewhere but when looking to find OEM part numbers I saw this info ,so assume the new 2020 E Class and any other model from June 2020 onward will only be allowed to be diagnosed by authorised registered users. Any more info on this anyone ?
 

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It sounds as if MB are targeting the Xentry clone market.

Dealers and registered specialists with genuine STAR and a valid subscription won't have an issue. But DIY users with Xentry clones, will.

I wonder if iCarsoft will still work? It's a much more popular option among DIYers than cloned Xentry, I think.

At any rate this will have an impact from 2023, when the restricted cars start leaving the dealer network.
 
As for repairs and general servicing, I don't see why these can't continue to be done DIY, as long as the particular repair or service does not require use of STAR.
 
I know Audi have also implemented something similar, VCDS doesn't work on some cars.

With the above article, it seems it's exactly what markjay has said. I thought manufacturers were not allowed to monopolise like this? It would stop any garage outside of the dealer network diagnosing a Mercedes without a licensed Xentry machine.
 
I know Audi have also implemented something similar, VCDS doesn't work on some cars.

With the above article, it seems it's exactly what markjay has said. I thought manufacturers were not allowed to monopolise like this? It would stop any garage outside of the dealer network diagnosing a Mercedes without a licensed Xentry machine.

MB have to allow independent garages access to genuine spares, the DSB, WIS and TSBs, tools and diagnostic equipment.

But they can require that the garage demonstrate that they are indeed a business (having a website, being VAT registered, etc), and they can obviously charge the garage for these services.

So the move above will mainly block back-sreeet garages, and might also cause an increase in costs to those independent specialists who registered with MB, but it will not allow MB to monopolise their position in the market.

At any rate, independent specialists will probably not need this sort of access before 2023, because they are unlikely to see cars less than 3 years old anyway.

But remappers and tuners (and retrofitters) will probably need it.
 
That clears that up then. I thought they may have to also allow 3rd parties to be able to access the car. The answer is yes but doesn't mean they have to allow it via a 3rd party diagnostic.
 

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