To accept or not to accept. That is the question.

[MB-BTurbo]

I have heard back from Mercedes Germany regarding a corrosion claim on my tailgate.

They are willing to pay 70% of the cost leaving me with a bill of £220. However it is not for replacing the tailgate but merely stripping it, sand blasting it, retreating it and painting it. I have been led to believe that rust could return on the crinkly seamed parts at anytime and the only way to stop it is to replace the part for a new smooth seamed part.

I should also mention that the rust is not visible on the outside of the car only a small part on the inside skin. I have also been told by an independent bodyshop that Mercedes use for non warranty items that probably the best thing to do is leave it as it is probably wont progress rapidly and if it does it will probably be up the inside.

So the question is.

Should I accept or not?

What would you do? If I accept I have a 12 month guarantee should it return which is not much of an incentive.

 

[renault12ts]

So, 30% is £220, therefore 100% is £730...that's a very expensive respray of one panel!!!

 

[BaldGuy]

Why do Mercedes not pay 100% of these rust claims... The amount that these cars cost they are simply taking the pxss.......AGAIN!!!

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Yep, that is exactly what I questioned him about. Thats when he started telling me about the process - stripping, blasting, treating painting and that the badges are a lot as well.

Im tempted to tell him to keep the badges and knock £90 and Ill source from ebay but even then Im swaying more towards rejecting it.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Why do Mercedes not pay 100% of these rust claims... The amount that these cars cost they are simply taking the pxss.......AGAIN!!!

If I had full dealer service history they would have. Very frustratingly the previous owner had it done at an indi a month before he sold it

 

[A210AMG]

I was offered a similar deal on my ML, the tail gate under the handle and a tiny bit under one arch.

Apparently around £900 of work, I would have to pay £300

What got be was the guarantee was only another 12months... I said no thanks.

A local body shop would be cheaper and probably do a bettetr job.

Get a quote at a body shop, if its similar then your choice.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I have seen the standards in the vast building they have and being a Mercedes approved bodyshop it gives me some reassurance but I dont think its worth it.

If it progresses to the outside I will resubmit or cover it over with a piece of trim or look for a brokers as they are around £150 - although it wont be a nice and shiny tailgate.

 

[bolide]

Wire brush, a fivers worth of Hammerite and get on with your life

Nick Froome

 

[st4]

Its such poor workmanship. Shocking.

Indi service should not affect body claims as body work is not mentioned in the handbook for the servicing regime so regardless of maintenance, the body work isn't looked at.

 

[wilsodg]

If it was just the bit round the square hole then I'd not worry too much. But the piece that is on the flange - which is just a piece of panel - it is rusting from the inside out. If it's rusting there, then likely it will come through elsewhere on the tailgate. If you have to sign something that says full and final settlement of claim for rust on the tailgate then I'd be wary - because when it comes back you'll have no further claim.

When they did mine (all for free incidentally, so they used to do it), they set out to strip and sandblast but then discovered more rust and decided to replace all the panels anyway. I think I'd get another quote - it does sound expensive for what they will do.

 

[whitenemesis]

Its such poor workmanship. Shocking.

Indi service should not affect body claims as body work is not mentioned in the handbook for the servicing regime so regardless of maintenance, the body work isn't looked at.

But it is! At each service the bodywork is (should!) be inspected by the service team leader. At least that's what is says in my service book?

 

[MB-BTurbo]

30% of any figure they pluck out of thin air is not a true percentage. They could say they charge £2100 as its Mercedes and there for charge me £700 saying its 30% - it doesnt really mean much.

That is my concern that there is rust elsewhere inside just waiting to rear its ugly head. Im also concerned that if I reject it and then it gets worse 6 months down the line they will raise the percentage and say thats its my fault for not accepting the first offer.

 

[ringway]

If I had full dealer service history they would have. Very frustratingly the previous owner had it done at an indi a month before he sold it

Ahem..

No they wouldn't. LINK.

 

[st4]

But it is! At each service the bodywork is (should!) be inspected by the service team leader. At least that's what is says in my service book?

Mine doesn't.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Ahem..

No they wouldn't. LINK.

That is awful. The excuse that the chrome trim is an optional extra has nothing to do with anything. They approved it and an dsupply it. They cant go around selling products for additional ££ that will lead to problems that they arent prepared to do anything about...or apparently they can, so they think.

I wish I had read up on these rust issues before I bought it otherwise I simply wouldnt have bought a Mercedes. I did do quite bit of research and it appeared that the B class faired well in reliability but so far I have have had;

New front right shock
New front springs,
New ARB,
New steering rack,
New front left caliper,
Rust on tailgate
Harman Kardon stereo right speaker failing,
Multi CD player failed,
Starter motor failing.

...and thats in 6 months of ownership.

What does the message tell you when you phone up Mercedes? "reassurance when buying a Mercedes, the Mercedes Benz name..." Well I could think of a few words best not mentioned on a public forum to finish that off with.

 

[grober]

That area is always going to be vulnerable due to its location. Water is either going to lie there, run down the the tailgate or get drawn in by capillary action as the car drives along- factor in some road grit/ salt and a constant damp environment and the slightest damage is going to result in small patches of localised rust. ---- 2 courses of action-- one pay the £220 and get a pukka job done or bit of cheap and cheerful DIY as Bolide suggests Either way a subsequent regular coating [ 5 minutes twice a year with a 1" paint brush on the area -while clean and dry ] of waxoil clear Halfords | Hammerite Waxoyl Rustproofing Clear 5L or similar on the vulnerable [ hidden area] will do much to prevent any further rust development.

 

[corned]

If they're admitting to 70% of the claim, then in theory it should not be too difficult to get them to admit to the lot. Any lawyer worth their salt would be able to get you through that one. Not that I'm suggesting having to go that far, but you should certainly open negotiations with them and push as hard as you can for more.

In the first instance I would go back to them rejecting that offer and insisting they improve it. They have, in effect, already admitted 'liability' in offering 70%.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Hmm, I was wondering about this. Would they actually be prepared to negotiate do you think?

 

[CKLclive]

in a word rip off, what the hell are they charging for ?
its well know that the dealers just cant cure the problem because they
dont know how to !, if it were up to me price wise £ 250 would be my
rust treament programe and 5 years warranty

 

[MB-BTurbo]

in a word rip off, what the hell are they charging for ?
its well know that the dealers just cant cure the problem because they
dont know how to !, if it were up to me price wise £ 250 would be my
rust treament programe and 5 years warranty

I dont know the exact procedure so I wouldnt know whether it is a rip off or not. I think that if I was paying the full £700+ I would be pretty peeved that I only got a 1 year warranty. They are basically saying that despite charging top dollar they cant guarantee their work for more than 12 months.