I have been advised be Malcolm to ask you about warranties. I am going to Germany to buy a Mercedes CLK. If I buy the CLK from a non mercedes dealer could I then seperatley purchase a european warranty or similar insurance package from a mercedes dealer? Also can a garage garantie from Germnay be upgraded to european warranty? Any other advise that would help me? Thanks
Att Jberks
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jberks
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Hi. Firstly whilst I do appreciate the vote of confidence I should point out that I'm not an official expert - just an interested amateur.
Now, the MB pan european warranty covers any MB anywhere for the first 2 years so I assume you are looking for something older. UK bought cars do come with 3 years but my understanding is that they must be purchased through a UK dealer for that to be effective.
Other than that, there is no warranty.
You don't say where the car will be kept, but assuming you bring to back to blighty, (why are you buying in Germany?) you can buy warranties here to cover it. There are really 2 different types. I differentiate by how they are worded. The first lists what is covered. It is normally a long list of components detailing rings, cogs and sensors. These, IMO, aren't worth the paper they are written on and you're better off 'self insuring'. The chances of them agreeing to pay out at all are limited and they normally place the burden of proof that the problem is caused by something they cover, and the cost of gaining that proof, (often tens of hours of labour) with you. The second type detail a list of items not covered. Normally exhaust, tyres etc. Anything not listed is automatically covered. These are more expensive but are comprehensive enough to be of value. What they cover and how much they cost though, is dependent on how old the car is and what the mileage is.
These warranties are not issued by MB themselves, who don't supply extended warranties any more AFAIK. Yes, an MB dealer or even the selling garage in Germany can supply such a warranty but they are simply acting as brokers and you can equally get one yourself. I bought one through my MB dealer when I bought my car and have recently claimed for a new ESP sensor. The advantage of buying from my dealer was that they repaired the car are now making the claim, not me, so I simply picked up the keys and left, but I'm pretty sure that if I'd have approached the insurer directly they have sold a warranty to me directly. The cost of mine was £600 but that was 2 years ago so costs may have changed.
Before deciding, you should also look into 'service plus'. Assuming you'd qualify, it provides virtually the same cover but also includes servicing and MOTs and is vastly better value.
Hope this helps.
Now, the MB pan european warranty covers any MB anywhere for the first 2 years so I assume you are looking for something older. UK bought cars do come with 3 years but my understanding is that they must be purchased through a UK dealer for that to be effective.
Other than that, there is no warranty.
You don't say where the car will be kept, but assuming you bring to back to blighty, (why are you buying in Germany?) you can buy warranties here to cover it. There are really 2 different types. I differentiate by how they are worded. The first lists what is covered. It is normally a long list of components detailing rings, cogs and sensors. These, IMO, aren't worth the paper they are written on and you're better off 'self insuring'. The chances of them agreeing to pay out at all are limited and they normally place the burden of proof that the problem is caused by something they cover, and the cost of gaining that proof, (often tens of hours of labour) with you. The second type detail a list of items not covered. Normally exhaust, tyres etc. Anything not listed is automatically covered. These are more expensive but are comprehensive enough to be of value. What they cover and how much they cost though, is dependent on how old the car is and what the mileage is.
These warranties are not issued by MB themselves, who don't supply extended warranties any more AFAIK. Yes, an MB dealer or even the selling garage in Germany can supply such a warranty but they are simply acting as brokers and you can equally get one yourself. I bought one through my MB dealer when I bought my car and have recently claimed for a new ESP sensor. The advantage of buying from my dealer was that they repaired the car are now making the claim, not me, so I simply picked up the keys and left, but I'm pretty sure that if I'd have approached the insurer directly they have sold a warranty to me directly. The cost of mine was £600 but that was 2 years ago so costs may have changed.
Before deciding, you should also look into 'service plus'. Assuming you'd qualify, it provides virtually the same cover but also includes servicing and MOTs and is vastly better value.
Hope this helps.
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HI JBerks
Thanks for your detailed responce. The car I am purchasing has a german garage warranty but I will be exporting it and I was keen on purchasing a european warranty as I am driving it down to Gibraltar.
The service plus you mentioned is that a mercedes package. Similar to the MOBO LIFe package??
Thanks for your detailed responce. The car I am purchasing has a german garage warranty but I will be exporting it and I was keen on purchasing a european warranty as I am driving it down to Gibraltar.
The service plus you mentioned is that a mercedes package. Similar to the MOBO LIFe package??
David Nock
Senior Member
Search under 'Service Contract Plus' and enjoy the positive posts. It's fantastic value. Alternatively I think it's described on MB's own website. If your cars going to be staying abroad I don't suppose it will qualify-???
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Thank you Jberks for answering so well as usual 
jberks
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Like you Malcolm, always happy to help if I can.
I would say if you're buying in Germany and driving to Gibralta than as you say, you simply need a pan european policy. As, in my experience, Mercedes themselves don't offer any warranty beyond the 2 years, it will be down to checking with whoever underwrites the warranty in Germany that they would accept a claim from a garage in Gibralta, or if not, ask the selling garage to source an alternative warranty that will. After all, they will have to buy the warranty in and there is no point them paying out on a warranty premium if it is of no use to the customer.
I would say if you're buying in Germany and driving to Gibralta than as you say, you simply need a pan european policy. As, in my experience, Mercedes themselves don't offer any warranty beyond the 2 years, it will be down to checking with whoever underwrites the warranty in Germany that they would accept a claim from a garage in Gibralta, or if not, ask the selling garage to source an alternative warranty that will. After all, they will have to buy the warranty in and there is no point them paying out on a warranty premium if it is of no use to the customer.
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