2010 S212 Subframe rust - MB UK current position?

[Conor]

Hello all

This week I have been doing some maintenance on my trusty S212 and discovered the inevitable rusty subframe.

Where one of the arms connects to the sumframe there is some penetration, resulting in a small hole.

What is Mercedes UK position on this regarding goodwill ? I just spoke to Mercedes Croydon (Franchise) and they insisted it's only valid with the 30 year warranty provided car has been serviced with MB..

They said they would charge me 200 odd quid for a diagnostic session to investigate.

I spoke with an Irish dealer a while back and they said they would replace it if it failed the Irish equivalent of MOT.

So what do I do..? If I need an MOT failure.. do i highlight the issue to MOT and get it failed and have no transport for a long time, while MB sort it out?

Thanks a lot

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A picture would be good but my interpretation of the MOT rules means that would pass as it’s a pinhole and not structurally weakened, the MOT tester can use their discretion of course and fail the car but it doesn’t sound like you are anywhere near that - certainly something to treat and keep an eye on.

 

[Frontstep]

The spectre of poor manufacturing continues to haunt.

I pursued the Mobilo route through the courts on a few occasions and MB were fortunately non to bright or reasonable but I am sure they limited their exposure by doing so.

Its not cricket but they won out.

 

[grayb]

We had our subframe replaced by MB last autumn. Serviced by indies for years but recorded on the Star system, so no warranty as such. No quibbling at all. But our subframe had actually fractured rendering the car undrivable. Rumour has it that MB are getting more reluctant now...

 

[Kudly]

As in post #2. don't panic, lot of cars affected. Get a good Indy to check it to see how bad it is and treat it.

 

[Waterl00]

Just discovered that there are bubbles coming through on bottom of the drivers door my 2005 CLK, FSH all but 2 at a Main Dealer and those were in 2008 & 2010 at an independent specialist. The whole side was resprayed by MB dealer in 2015 following someone reversing into it when parked on my drive, but this damage was to the rear wheel arch, so should have not relevance to the rusting on the door. Going to call the dealer who has serviced this car for the last 8 years tomorrow. Will update this post with my experience thereafter.

 

[whitegold]

Wife’s 2012 c220 had the rear subframe replaced FOC by MB main dealer last year. They discovered it while doing the recent airbag recall. The car had been MOT’d a few weeks previously - which had missed a 25mm hole on top of the frame and invisible from below. This car had last MB dealer service in 2014, but they honoured the subframe defect for parts and labour; I was warned that I would have to pay for any of the control arms if they broke during the repair.

 

[Raihan Ahmed]

Wife’s 2012 c220 had the rear subframe replaced FOC by MB main dealer last year. They discovered it while doing the recent airbag recall. The car had been MOT’d a few weeks previously - which had missed a 25mm hole on top of the frame and invisible from below. This car had last MB dealer service in 2014, but they honoured the subframe defect for parts and labour; I was warned that I would have to pay for any of the control arms if they broke during the repair.

I am in a similar situation. Awaiting for the diagnostic to be done but I checked with a free suspension check took photos of the rust. It clearly had holes. Hopefully MB will cover it. A bit tensed as I just bought the car privately and is in a pickle basically due to this. I dropped my car of on MB West London

 

[Raihan Ahmed]

Hi Guys,
Unfortunately, they are saying (MB West London),
"The technician has checked for corrosion and the vehicle does not fall into coverage for the rear carrier."
Now what exactly should I say to fight this properly. The car was maintained independently and so far.

Any help and response much appreciated.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

You could write to MBUK Milton Keynes and ask for a goodwill gesture I assume the car is 2007 so a 15 year old car might be outside their idea of a warranty claim but worth a try

 

[Raihan Ahmed]

I am thinking about sending them an email at cs.uk@cac.mercedes-benz.com. Do you reckon writing a physical letter will have more impact?

Adding to it ->
Funny thing is, When I was confirming the diagnosis, the guy was telling me, "there shouldn't be any Rust on the subframe on a 15-year-old car, so we will look into it". This is when I started questioning about warranty prior to the diagnosis and mentioned the Rust specifically. He was reluctant to confirm anything except the first-year corrosion protection though. But that comment on subframe from him gave me hope for a positive outcome.

They did do Airbag replacement even though it was scheduled in October. Which was nice from MB to do early. The car had the recall for years, previous owners ignored it. I genuinely feel they are trying to do some good but probably in a mess with losses throughout the company due to these sub frame issues.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I don’t think it makes much difference whether you email or write nowadays, certainly worth doing this to get their official response.
If you can find evidence of a similar aged car to yours having the subframe replaced under warranty that would be a good help.
I see in the US they are now giving an extended subframe warranty of 20 years on some models so worth mentioning this in you email.

Good luck - if they won’t cover the full cost of replacement you may get a goodwill contribution but in the first instance I would ask for a FOC repair

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2023/mercedes-subframe-extended-warranty-information.shtml#:~:text=July%204%2C%202023%20—%20A%20Mercedes-Benz%20subframe%20extended,50%2C000%20miles%2C%20to%2020%20years%20%2F%20unlimited%20miles.

 

[Raihan Ahmed]

Amazing thanks for the comments Malcom210. They sent me a video detailing subframe and also other issues on the car. I responded to that via their contact form citing US warranty extension as well similar issues on the vehicle produced from around 2007-2014. Also sent the email on the customer support email.
And they actually called me back saying, they are contacting with the factory regarding this and told me there can be 4-5 weeks delay for parts to come in. Nothing is confirmed yet but it is on the positive compared to yesterday's message.

I talked about,
1. Courtesy car.
2. Existing other issues.
3. Showed interest on solving and getting a quote for the other issues.

Response so far,
1. Factory will respond back and they will make a decision.
2. No courtesy car is provided for vehicles that are kept in their storage for more than a few days. Provides courtesy car only when it is for 1-3 days.
3. Tried saying no courtesy car available for 1-2 weeks in the beginning. Than 5-6 weeks after some time. (Trying to avoid this heavily as I am not a regular I think). Still just testing the waters.

 

[bladecrazy]

keep trying you may be lucky, a bit like my 2 nox sensors failing with some replaced foc, but my local dealer said a big fat no!.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

keep trying you may be lucky, a bit like my 2 nox sensors failing with some replaced foc, but my local dealer said a big fat no!.

Yes, you need to persist and be prepared to escalate to MBUK some would be easily fobbed off it’s the way of the world unfortunately hope you get a good response from MB subframes should last the life of the vehicle 20+ years.
I do think MB are embarrassed by this and don’t want it hitting the mainstream media in a big way it hardly sits well with ‘the best or nothing‘ mantra

 

[Conor]

Hi Guys,
Unfortunately, they are saying (MB West London),
"The technician has checked for corrosion and the vehicle does not fall into coverage for the rear carrier."
Now what exactly should I say to fight this properly. The car was maintained independently and so far.

Any help and response much appreciated.

I just called MB UK on the phone and made my complaint. My issue was that Croydon wouldn't offer the good will as I didn't have 100% MB service history.

MB UK Contacted Croydon directly and now they are playing ball.. it shouldn't be difficult to get this sorted.

 

[Raihan Ahmed]

Final update,
MB West London finally confirmed the rear subframe replacement FOC. Not even goodwill. (Did not ask for any money either for bolts like I saw someone pay for it). Only thing is, they will keep the vehicle until then. The part needs to be made from scratch and not in stock. So a minimum of 6 weeks or more wait time. Which is a loss of freedom for me. I will go monday and push for a loaner car if possible.

I sent email to MB UK And MB west london both. Detailing the commonality of the issue across US and EU and quoted the class action. After just 1 day I observed change in tone 360.

Also important,
The car was never ever once serviced in a Marcedez dealership. I found that out from their quote. It had 2008 as next service date
So MOBILIO is not at all connected with this FOC warranty.

My car still needs other repairs quoted 4k GBP (Absurd) from dealership actually. I wanted to do the repair independent for much cheaper probably 1k spend or 1.5k. but I have to deposit 1700 GBP to get the car out from MB west london and they will return the money once it is back with them again. Something about claiming warranty. In case the car is not on site on time they won't be able to claim warranty. Just wanted to explore some options to save time until I can drive again with peace of mind.

Thanks Malcom210. Your advice worked like a charm. Good to know thread owner Conor also got it sorted. That is superb!!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Pleased you both got a favourable resolution this situation shouldn’t happen nowadays from a quality and customer service point of view - our cousins across the water can be very useful in helping spin the dial

Final update,
MB West London finally confirmed the rear subframe replacement FOC. Not even goodwill. (Did not ask for any money either for bolts like I saw someone pay for it). Only thing is, they will keep the vehicle until then. The part needs to be made from scratch and not in stock. So a minimum of 6 weeks or more wait time. Which is a loss of freedom for me. I will go monday and push for a loaner car if possible.

I sent email to MB UK And MB west london both. Detailing the commonality of the issue across US and EU and quoted the class action. After just 1 day I observed change in tone 360.

Also important,
The car was never ever once serviced in a Marcedez dealership. I found that out from their quote. It had 2008 as next service date
So MOBILIO is not at all connected with this FOC warranty.

My car still needs other repairs quoted 4k GBP (Absurd) from dealership actually. I wanted to do the repair independent for much cheaper probably 1k spend or 1.5k. but I have to deposit 1700 GBP to get the car out from MB west london and they will return the money once it is back with them again. Something about claiming warranty. In case the car is not on site on time they won't be able to claim warranty. Just wanted to explore some options to save time until I can drive again with peace of mind.

Thanks Malcom210. Your advice worked like a charm. Good to know thread owner Conor also got it sorted. That is superb!!