30 year warranty - no service stamps!

[cheshirecat]

Hi,

I have a 11/99 210 E Class Estate, starting to rust in the common places.

My question is, I bought the car in 9/04, the last MB service stamp is 11/02, but is has been serviced at the correct intervals since by independents.

Does the fact that mechanical servicing has been carried out elsewhere affect a paintwork issue? What about the block exemption ruling??

Has anyone sucessfully had a paintwork claim when the mechanical servicing has been carried out elsewhere?

 

[jberks]

Tecnically you are out of luck - but some people have had claims approved, even without FMBSH - not sure why but it's worth a try.
The block exemption doesn't apply as this is a 'goodwill' warranty included in the Mobilio cover which is "renewed at each dealer visit" and not a manufacturer's component warranty.

 

[Glenn Smith]

you don't need full mbsh untill the 6th year onwards, as far as i'm aware, i had a claim approved without full mbsh, but car was only 4yrs old at the time, and the last mb stamp was less than 2yrs before, try it and see, you might be lucky but DCUK are getting tight as this has become such a big issue and expense, wher they were replacing panels now they are patching up, not very inspiring!!!

 

[Rory]

I'm sure there's lots of stuff on this, but I would have thought the rust issue was more a 'fit for purpose' legal thing, than a warranty issue.

So it's a question of, how long would you reasonably expect a Merc to last? The problem is that, legally, responsibility rests with whoever sold the car to you, so it all gets a bit awkward on used cars.

Having a complete MB history just makes the process a lot easier, but it shouldn't be essential, although MB may claim that they would have picked up the rust earlier when the damage was less extensive.

 

[psmart]

As per above, if you check this link out: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18317&page=2 I posted a scan of the Mobilo service booklet. Basically, from the start of the 5the year of registration upto when the ASSYST says you need a service, or 2 years have lapsed from the previous service, so long as that service is made by a Mercedes Dealership, your Rust and Mobilo warranty stay valid. ie. If you had your car serviced on 4yrs 11mths, and you dont drive a lot, then so long as you have the next service carried out by 6yrs 11mths at a Mercedes Dealership, you are covered.

Unfortunately for later buyers, Mercedes changed this to the 2nd year.

I was in this same boat, and so long as I get my car serviced by Dusseldorf Merc before next May, Im covered (and still am covered at the moment) even though my car has never ventured into a Mercedes Dealership for a service in its life, other than to get some very high quality work done in Stuttgart (complete window, motor and switch gear replaced for a known switch fault) and the glowplugs done here in Dusseldorf.

 

[cheshirecat]

MB honour Mobilo Paintwork Warranty

Just thought I would update for the benefit of anyone else in a similar position. I took my 99 E Class in to MB Direct in Manchester, to see there response.

Mine seemed a particularly bad example, both front wings, all four doors along the top of the door under the seal, bonnet, tailgate (W210 Estate) and rear wheel arches.

Anyway, I was asked to fax or email the service history (as original post not main dealer since 04') a copy of the V5, and they would process the warranty claim. I then got a call in mid September to say that because of the amount of time that they needed the car for (around 10 days) they could not give me a date before 2nd Jan 07. They then proceeded to say that as the warranty work is only submitted a few days before the booking in, they could not guarantee that the work would accepted, so I was a little perturbed thinking MB would not approve the claim.

However, I delivered the car into MB Direct Manchester yesterday without any problem.

So my advice is to anyone that is in a similar position not to be put off by the age of the vehicle or lack of service history. MB are clearly aware of this significant problem, and even on a car that is 7 years old, that cost at the time the thick end of £35000, the level or rust is abhorrent.

 

[Rory]

Anyone can make a mistake, and the true test is what they do to put it right. MB have done the right thing here, which is very reassuring.

Having said that, you might want to get shut of the car once it's looking nice!

 

[cheshirecat]

Rory, I had thought the same. The body shop manager assured me that they just fit new panels and larrup with waxoyl rather than trying to make the panels good.

 

[amwebby]

I'm getting confused here. Everyone goes on about the validity, or otherwise, of your Mobilo cover in relation to a rust issue but Mobilo seems to be a mechanical warranty.

I've just had my 2000 CL500 inspected by MB Romford for rust and have a service history that shows MB dealers for the first three years and one independent specialist, Merc-Care of Leeds, as the service agent thereafter.

This would seem to invalidate the Mobilo warranty but that should not have an effect on the rust warranty, which seems to be separate. Does anyone have a copy of the Rust Warranty?

 

[cheshirecat]

TBH I did not even bother with any warranty paperwork, I just went in to MBDirect. They are well aware of the problems! Is your's showing any rust signs?

 

[amwebby]

I contacted MB Customer Service, giving them the details of my car's service history, so they know it already. They asked me to get the report. I was prompted to do this by visible signs of aluminium rot at the bottom and trailing edge of the driver's door. The inspection also showed early bubbles at the bottom of the passenger's door and the leading edges of both rear wheel arches.

 

[Cheshire4dave]

Should I switch servicing back to MB main dealer?

I'm also confused. I have a 2003 C220 CDI which I don't think suffers from the known rust problems. I now take it to an independent garage that only services Mercs. They stamp the service history book with what looks like a Mercedes stamp but has their name on it i.e. Mercedes-Benz Bucklow of Knutsford. Am I sensible to continue using this dealer or should I revert to the main dealer in my case Mercedes-Benz Manchester?

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

sadly they suffer from paint so thin that it chips off when a gnat farts 20 yards away. This then rusts. However, this is not covered by the rust warrantee. I could do with a bit of a bonnet re-spray.

 

[Blobcat]

Does anyone have a copy of the Rust Warranty?

It should be listed out in the service booklet in your owners manual (it is in mine).

 

[amwebby]

Doh! found it.

 

[amwebby]

Update - MB called today. They have agreed to repair all the rust under Mobilio-life. A friend suggests I should get them to do a full respray, as that is what a colleague of his is having done to his W215.

 

[MrWibble]

I have a Dec 99 registered W210 E320 saloon acquired relatively recently with MB-standard tinworm in the usual places - all 4 arches, boot lid RHS of number plates and merc badge. Nothing around lock and I haven't plucked up the courage to look under the door seals.

Its got several (intermittent) MB stamps - last one April 05 -as its now due a 'B' service would a dealer service (with strongly worded caution to do only the service) be more likely to assist my future claim in anyone's experience ? Or just assist dealer profits ?

In addition, Russian site mentions dealer code as "Nato members sales - 401" - as its a genuine UK car originally supplied by Alan Day Mercedes, London does anyone have any experience as to how MB UK would treat a rust claim ? Is this likely to confuse MB UK and generate a "Nyet" ? Further the build date is Jan 99 - anyone know which date is more likely to be used as baseline for 8yr period by MB ? V5 shows 22/12/99 btw.

Finally, can anyone can provide feedback on Greenoaks Maidenhead re warranty and general servicing work ? Any other dealers in Slough / High Wycombe / Maidenhead triangle likely to be better in your experience ? I have to admit that SWMBO's Primera service by my local mobile chappie @ £38 / hr (his honesty comes free) seems cheap by comparison.

Mr Wibble

 

[psmart]

Take a look at Hawk20's informative thread where I recently added some direct DC feedback: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=20729&page=6

Basically, the moment you do not take your car to a Mercedes Dealership for Service or Repair, and they get to know about it, the Rust Warranty is void. Sounds like they do have a guilty conscience because they seem to ignore there own rules upto 8 years old, but it is basically try and see.

The MobiloLife on your car though is gone.

 

[Oof]

I have a Dec 99 registered W210 E320 saloon acquired relatively recently with MB-standard tinworm in the usual places - all 4 arches, boot lid RHS of number plates and merc badge. Nothing around lock and I haven't plucked up the courage to look under the door seals.

Its got several (intermittent) MB stamps - last one April 05 -as its now due a 'B' service would a dealer service (with strongly worded caution to do only the service) be more likely to assist my future claim in anyone's experience ? Or just assist dealer profits ?

In addition, Russian site mentions dealer code as "Nato members sales - 401" - as its a genuine UK car originally supplied by Alan Day Mercedes, London does anyone have any experience as to how MB UK would treat a rust claim ? Is this likely to confuse MB UK and generate a "Nyet" ? Further the build date is Jan 99 - anyone know which date is more likely to be used as baseline for 8yr period by MB ? V5 shows 22/12/99 btw.

Finally, can anyone can provide feedback on Greenoaks Maidenhead re warranty and general servicing work ? Any other dealers in Slough / High Wycombe / Maidenhead triangle likely to be better in your experience ? I have to admit that SWMBO's Primera service by my local mobile chappie @ £38 / hr (his honesty comes free) seems cheap by comparison.

Mr Wibble

Greenoaks serviced my E220CDI (04 53plate) twice, and on both occasions I reported it jumoping out of gear in 1st.

They returned it No Fault Found on both occasions, so when I was back in the North, I took it to a dealer in Blackpool they found it and bingo, I had a new gearbox fitted under warranty.

Greenoaks didn't want to know - as they hadn't supplied the car.

 

[MrWibble]

Take a look at Hawk20's informative thread where I recently added some direct DC feedback: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=20729&page=6

Basically, the moment you do not take your car to a Mercedes Dealership for Service or Repair, and they get to know about it, the Rust Warranty is void. Sounds like they do have a guilty conscience because they seem to ignore there own rules upto 8 years old, but it is basically try and see.

The MobiloLife on your car though is gone.

psmart & Oof : Thanks for the feedback - I've got it booked into Tony Purslow Basingstoke for a B service (at their reduced rates) with yours truly supplying Mobil1 from CostCo. A corrosion inspection has been arranged after the service to ascertain the extent (its not that bad actually - the arches are really surface bubbling and only a 2mm spot found on the door tops so far) and they will be directed at all the usual spots including spring perches.

Given the good feedback and cost of Tony Purslow it seems a small price to pay for the opportunity to get some free work done. Future services will be via Chris Gray in any case with a good local bodyshop (South Bucks anyone ?) fixing the rust if DCUK decline.

Driving my W210 is a real joy after a succession of Fords and Jap boxes - my tinworm worries are really nothing compared to the rest of the package.