Where to start..

[backandforth]

Hello everyone, new to the forum - but have a niche issue which I was hopefully looking for some of your expert advice on.

I bought my second new A Class AMG only last year, this time opting for the 250 engine as I wanted the extra power and as used for my work and miles I drive, regrettably couldn't move up to the A35.

The car has done around 10.5k miles and was approaching it's first service - then last week, driving back from a customer appointment, the engine lost power and I could hear a knocking noise from the engine - I was a mile from my house so trundled home. I then called my local dealership, where I bought and have a service plan with, to get the car booked in. They advised Mobolo, but I said this wasn't a roadside assist as it was an engine failure and a dramatic one. ANYway, the young lady on the phone said this was the best starting point, much to my dismay. The next day a engineer from Mercedes arrived and within 10 minutes he agreed that the engine was done - he then towed it away from my house and off to the dealership. Mobolo were very good and a brand new courtesy car (GLA200AMG) arrived at my house later that day.

The dealership then took around 4 days to come back to me with their findings, saying there was too much metal within the engine and it would need replaced - 'luckily' it was under warranty and there would be no cost to me - with the new engine coming from Germany, landing roughly 12th (tomorrow). They said I would keep the GLA for the duration of the repair.

I was away for the BH weekend and yesterday I got a notification from the Mercedes Me app telling me that my car had been in a collision at 9.52am. I immediately messaged the salesman (also a friend) to ask what the hell was going on - he was also off work, but would investigate when he got back. I then got a call from the dealership later in the day to tell me that the engine was delayed, now coming by road (?) and would keep me updated. Then he slipped in, there was another issue and my car, whilst on the premises had been hit by a bin lorry that was turning in the car park. I asked for pictures, so they said they'd send an email - then the below picture landed in my inbox - to say I was shocked was understatement.

As you can imagine I'm at a complete loss what to do - I now have a car which is getting a new engine and repairs that could potentially devalue it's worth. The car is on a PCP which is a considerable outlay each month, for a car I'm not even driving, and I've paid nearly £400 for a service plan, which isn't going to take place as the engine will be new. They also now want to return my current courtesy car as the damage to the bodywork means that the hire comp. want their car back and the dealership will now have to provide one.

Has anyone been in this situation before and if not, what course of action would anyone suggest. As you can imagine, it's a bizarre situation to be in - especially when I'm not at fault. To be honest, I love the car, but I feel like I dont want the thing back. Oh, another issue is I can't even get a like-for-like replacement as the A250 is no longer in production.

Help!

Scott

 

[whitenemesis]

As the car is on PCP you don't technically own it, so I would be in touch with the finance company, explaining the events and ask for their assistance. Possibly stopping payments, maybe even returning the car for a new one. Best ask and see what they come up with...

 

[Germgh0st]

I don't really see that there's a lot you can do. They've fessed up to the damage and as long as it is fixed to a high standard I wouldn't have an issue with it and I don't think it would devalue the car. The fact the engine has been delayed doesn't sound like it's under the dealer's control, so you can't really blame them for that. You're going to get another courtesy car to replace the one you have, so that's all good.

At most I would push for something to compensate me for the inconvenience. You're not without a car, so I wouldn't say I'd argue about the PCP payments. I think I'd probably ask for the rest of the service plan to be free, (maybe have it extended a year to cover the service the new engine won't need or maybe an extra interim service once the car has done a couple of thousand miles to change the oil) and they refund the difference, or maybe an extended warranty to take it past the normal three years?

 

[Trickythemerc]

Not nice, but equally not that seriously damaged. Take the loan car from the dealership, let them deal with the engine. The waste collection company's insurer's will sort the body repairs.

 

[KennyN]

FWIW , i cant see the issue here.

A car you "rent" unfortunately needs a replacement engine and repair to the bodywork - none of which will be at a cost to you. I can understand your frustration but there is really not much you can do.

Get it fixed , drive it until the lease expires then get yourself into a A35 - life's too short

K

 

[markjay]

Two minor comments:

1. Calling Mobilo is the correct course of action in all situations where the car is undrivable (or unsafe to drive). If required, they will tow the car to nearest dealership (as you've found out).

2. The MB Service Care Plan can be cancelled against full refund (less some admin fee), if you wanted to do that. That been said, the car will still need to be serviced and inspected (Schedule A) come first anniversary, even if it does have a new engine.

Good luck.

 

[backandforth]

Thanks for the replies and duly noted.

I didn't expect there was a lot I would be able to do, but as you can appreciate if it was you this happening to, the emotions would run from disbelief/anger/disappointment - so wanted to reach out to see what people thought. I'm going to see what the dealership comes back with and then act accordingly.

Thanks and again, appreciated.

@KennyN next time, my friend.

 

[markjay]

One other point, relating to the body panel repair.... in the event that you do not end up purchasing the car, the finance provider will inspect the vehicle when you hand it back. They may detect that the rear quarter panel has been repaired and resprayed.

For this reason, you should insist that the dealer uses an MB Approved Repairer, and also ask for a copy of the invoice (or some other proof that the work was done by an MB Approved Repairer, detailing what has been done exactly).

This way, you can demonstrate to the finance company that the repair was done to the manufacturer's specifications, should the issue arrise.

Additionally, being able to produce proof of the repair having been done by an MB Approved Repairer, will allow you to keep the anti-perforation warranty intact.

Without this, you'll simply get the car repaired, and that's fine, but if any issues arise in 2-3 years time, you'll struggle to prove what was actually done to the car, and by whom.

 

[markjay]

Also, you'll do well to get anything in writing from MB regarding the engine swap, but unfortunately when it comes to warranty repairs, dealers tend to not provide the customer with any documentation as to what has been done to the car, in spite of the fact that they do raise an internal invoice to MB UK. Still, worth asking for some printed report detailing the warranty work that was carried out, who knows, you may find a sympathetic service manager.

 

[backandforth]

One other point.... in the event that you do not end up purchasing the car, the finance provider will inspect the vehicle when you hand it back. They may detect that the rear quarter panel has been repaired and resprayed.

For this reason, you should insist that the dealer uses an MB Approved Repairer, and also ask for a copy of the invoice (or some other proof that the work was done by an MB Approved Repairer, detailing what has been done exactly).

This way, you can demonstrate to the finance company that the repair was done to the manufacturer's specifications, should the issue arrise.

Additionally, being able to produce proof of the repair having been done by an MB Approved Repairer, will allow you to keep the anti-perforation warranty intact.

I thought about that already, the dealership has its own bodyshop so that's that issue covered.

 

[markjay]

I thought about that already, the dealership has its own bodyshop so that's that issue covered.

Great, but as said, I suggest that you make sure that you ask for a full printed report on their letterhead paper (or PDF), after the repair is done.

 

[st13phil]

Also, you'll do well to get anything in writing from MB regarding the engine swap, but unfortunately when it comes to warranty repairs, dealers tend to not provide the customer with any documentation as to what has been done to the car, in spite of the fact that they do raise an internal invoice to MB UK.

As it's an engine swap, things are a little different and I speak from experience as I went through this process last year with a motorcycle that is under warranty.

The car will have a new engine number which must be advised to DVLA who will then issue a new V5C with the new engine number. To do this, DVLA require written evidence of the engine number change otherwise they will reject the application. The written evidence can be in the form of a receipt for the replacement engine, or written evidence from the manufacturer.

Bottom line is that the dealer who carries out the engine swap has to provide the OP with the necessary evidence to satisfy DVLA. The OP may have to remind them of this. As the car is on PCP finance, the OP should probably advise the finance company of the engine change too.

Full details of the process are on the DVLA website, here.