Merc lease

[Incognito]

Hi all

As am at a loss who to contact regarding my situation I thought I'd try and glean some information from you wonderful knowledgeable veterans on here as you've been so very helpful in the past.

I leased a brand new SLK from Mercedes Benz for 3 years and has now been returned. Had the mandatory inspection day before collected who advised it would cost me £16 for repairs which was OK with.

So, happily waved away my vehicle and then yesterday received a bill from MB expecting it to be the £16 but was instead for £850!! Stating incomplete service.

I've had the car fully serviced twice by my local garage as third service not yet due.

To say I'm gobsmacked is an understatement!

A) Who the Hell pays £850 for a car service?
B) The mileage is only 8k

Does anyone know what grounds I have to dispute this unbelievable demand?

Thanks to all. Am panicking somewhat

 

[Wighty]

Hi , when you say local garage , did they use all Merc parts filters and recommended oil spec and did they complete the services to MB requirements , that's all I can think of .

 

[GlosRichCLK]

Ask them to detail exactly what the £850 is for, sounds like more than a service... tyres maybe, any body damage?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hi all

As am at a loss who to contact regarding my situation I thought I'd try and glean some information from you wonderful knowledgeable veterans on here as you've been so very helpful in the past.

I leased a brand new SLK from Mercedes Benz for 3 years and has now been returned. Had the mandatory inspection day before collected who advised it would cost me £16 for repairs which was OK with.

So, happily waved away my vehicle and then yesterday received a bill from MB expecting it to be the £16 but was instead for £850!! Stating incomplete service.

I've had the car fully serviced twice by my local garage as third service not yet due.

To say I'm gobsmacked is an understatement!

A) Who the Hell pays £850 for a car service?
B) The mileage is only 8k

Does anyone know what grounds I have to dispute this unbelievable demand?

Thanks to all. Am panicking somewhat

Two questions...

1. Did you have anything signed on collection stating that the costs would be £16? A works docket etc.
2. Howcome you registered over a year ago but this is your first post..?

 

[A.J.]

Already posted on another thread.

"Having spent many years in the Vehicle Contract Hire business, I think as far as the Leasing Co. is concerned the residual value built into the lease would be based on the assumption that a full service history is present.

However the absence of the final service, IE being maybe a few hundred miles overdue, is a difficult one to put a value to. In most cases, depending on who the lease company is, it would not attract any penalties.

We at HMC would not have pursued it, however there are a few that would due to the perceived tight margins they have to work to these days. '"

You seem to have found the one of few who Lessors will pursue the absence of a full service history. I assume you have had two of the annual services and not the last one maybe.

A full service history is an important element in achieving the residual value built into the lease. Your Lessor is obviously highly dependant on achieving that RV and need to address it.

I don't know how you proceed from here but you should read the small print in your contract as you may be in breach of your contract. All you can hope for is that you can negotiate a compromise. I wish you luck, they have probably got a tight contract there.

 

[Monday]

[QUOTE
So, happily waved away my vehicle and then yesterday received a bill from MB expecting it to be the £16 but was instead for £850!! Stating incomplete service.[/QUOTE]

It sounds as though your first two services did not meet MB standards - or have been perceived as not meeting MB standards. I just received a copy of an MB booklet on vehicle return as my current PCP expires in 6 months. Under Step 4 "Make sure your service history and MoT are up to date", it states "We recommend that your service is carried out by a MB Retailer as this helps avoid additional fees when returning your vehicle. Our MB trained technicians use Genuine Parts which forms a part of our vehicle return standards".

Nothing like gun to your head! Clearly you do not have to use an MB Retailer for your service work, but he must use Genuine Parts. I would have a look at your service invoices; if your garage has used "Genuine Parts" but not specifically invoiced them, then go back and get them to do so. Of course if he hasn't used Genuine Parts then you have a problem but not necessarily an £850-sized problem

Then ring MB Finance. I have found they climb down fairly readily when challenged.

 

[Headhurts]

Phew, that's a large sum as AJD says you must have a hard lease contract.

I handed my 2014 E350 Hybrid back last year 1 month early and had not done the second service, I did not hear another word from them (Hitachi Finance).

Good luck with your negotiations.

Robin


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